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4(^rrvvaM    4rA<?^eOic 


SCANDINAVIAN  CLASSICS 
VOLUME  V 

THE  PROSE  EDDA 


ESTABLISHED  BY 
NIELS    POULSON 


8  3?.  6/c2 


THE  PROSE  EDDA 

BY 
SNORRI  STURLUSON 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  ICELANDIC 

WITH   AN  INTRODUCTION 
BY 

ARTHUR  GILCHRIST   BRODEUR,  Ph.D. 

Instructor  in  English  Philology  in  the  Uni'versity  of  California 


NEW  YORK 

THE  AMERICAN-SCANDINAVIAN   FOUNDATION 

LONDON:    HUMPHREY  MILFORD 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY   PRESS 

I916 


Copyright,  igi6,  by  The  ^mertcan-Scandinavian  Foundation 


T).  1i.  Updike  ■  The  ^Merrymount  Tress  •  "Boston  ■  U.  S.  zA. 

^HE    LrBRAkt 

tJKiGflAIvI  YOUNG  UMyr^*^'^** 
FROVO,  UTAH 


TO 

WILLIAM   HENRY   SCHOFIELD 

WHO  MADE  THE  WORK  POSSIBLE 

THE  TRANSLATOR 

RENDERS  THE  TRIBUTE  OF 

THIS  BOOK 


CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION  ix 

PROLOGUE  I 

GYLFAGINNING  II 

SKALDSKAPARMAL  87 

INDEX  243 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  life  of  Snorri  Sturluson  fell  in  a  great  but  con- 
tradictory age,  when  all  that  was  noble  and  spiritual 
in  men  seemed  to  promise  social  regeneration,  and  when 
bloody  crimes  and  sordid  ambitions  gave  this  hope  the  lie. 
Not  less  than  the  rest  of  Europe,  Scandinavia  shared  in 
the  bitter  conflict  between  the  law  of  the  spirit  and  the  law 
of  the  members.  The  North,  like  England  and  the  Conti- 
nent, felt  the  religious  fervor  of  the  Crusades,  passed  from 
potential  anarchy  into  union  and  national  consciousness, 
experienced  a  literary  and  spiritual  revival,  and  suffered 
the  fury  of  persecution  and  of  fratricidal  war.  No  greater 
error  could  be  committed  than  to  think  of  the  Northern 
lands  as  cut  ofFby  barriers  of  distance,  tongue,  and  custom 
from  the  heart  of  the  Continent,  and  in  consequence  as 
countries  where  men's  thoughts  and  deeds  were  more  un- 
restrained and  uncivilized.  Even  as  England,  France,  and 
Germany  acted  and  reacted  upon  one  another  in  politics, 
in  social  growth,  in  art,  and  in  literature,  so  all  three  acted 
upon  Scandinavia,  and  felt  the  reaction  of  her  influence. 
Nearly  thirty  years  before  Snorri's  birth,  the  Danish 
kingdom  had  been  the  plaything  of  a  German  prince, 
Henry  the  Lion,  who  set  up  or  pulled  down  her  rulers  as  he 
saw  fit;  and  during  Snorri's  boyhood,  one  of  these  rulers, 
Valdamarr  I,  contributed  to  Flenry's  political  destruction. 
In  Norway,  Sverrir  Sigurdarson  had  swept  away  the  old 
social  order,  and  replaced  it  with  one  more  highly  central- 
ized; had  challenged  the  power  of  Rome  without,  and  that 
of  his  own  nobles  within,  like  Henry  II  of  England  and 
Frederick  Barbarossa.  After  Sverrir's  death,  an  interreg- 
num followed;  but  at  last  there  came  to  the  throne  a  mon- 


X  INTRODUCTION 

arch  both  powerful  and  enlightened,  who  extended  the  re- 
forms of  Sverrir,and  having  brought  about  unity  and  peace, 
quickened  the  intellectual  life  of  Norway  with  the  fructify- 
ing influence  of  French  and  English  literary  models.  Under 
the  patronage  of  this  ruler,  Hakon  Hakonarson,  the  great 
romances,  notably  those  of  Chretien  deTroyes,were  trans- 
lated into  Norse,  some  of  them  passing  over  into  Swedish, 
Danish,  and  Icelandic.  Somewhat  later,  Matthew  Paris,  the 
great  scholar  and  author,  who  represented  the  culture  both 
of  England  and  of  France,  spent  eighteen  months  in  Nor- 
way, though  not  until  after  Snorri's  death. 

Iceland  itself,  in  part  through  Norway,  in  part  directly, 
drew  from  the  life  of  the  Continent :  Saemundr  the  Learned, 
who  had  studied  in  Paris,  founded  a  school  at  Oddi;  Sturla 
Sigvatsson,  Snorri's  nephew,  made  a  pilgrimage  to  Rome, 
and  visited  Germany;  and  Snorri  himself  shows,  in  the 
opening  pages  of  his  Heimskringla^  or  History  of  the  Kings 
of  Norway,  the  influence  of  that  great  romantic  cycle,  the 
Matter  of  Troy. 

Snorri  Sturluson  was  in  the  fullest  sense  a  product  of 
his  time.  The  son  of  a  turbulent  and  ambitious  chieftain, 
Sturla  Thordsson,  of  Hvamm  in  western  Iceland,  he  was 
born  to  a  heritage  of  strife  and  avarice.  The  history  of  the 
Sturlung  house,  like  that  of  Douglas  in  Scotland,  is  a  long 
and  perplexed  chronicle  of  intrigue,  treachery,  and  assassi- 
nation, in  all  of  which  Snorri  played  an  active  part.  But 
even  as  among  the  Douglases  there  was  one  who,  how- 
ever deep  in  treason  and  intrigue,  yet  loved  learning  and 
poetry,  and  was  distinguished  in  each,  so  Snorri,  involved 
by  sordid  political  chicanery,  found  time  not  only  to  com- 
pose original  verse  which  was  admired  by  his  contempo- 
raries, but  also  to  record  the  myths  and  legends,  the  history 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

and  poetry,  of  his  race,  in  a  prose  that  is  one  of  the  glories 
of  the  age. 

The  perplexing  story  of  Snorri's  life, told  by  his  nephew, 
Sturla  Thordsson,^  may  well  be  omitted  from  this  brief 
discussion.  A  careful  and  scholarly  account  of  it  by  Eirikr 
Magnusson^  will  be  found  in  the  introduction  to  the  sixth 
volume  of  The  Saga  Library.  From  Snorri's  marriage  in  1 1 99 
to  his  assassination  at  the  hands  of  his  son-in-law,  Gizurr 
Thorvaldsson,  in  1241,  there  was  little  in  his  life  which 
his  biographer  could  relate  with  satisfaction.  His  friends, 
his  relatives,  his  very  children,  Snorri  sacrificed  to  his  in- 
satiate ambition.  As  chief  and  as  lawman,  he  gave  venal 
decisions  and  perverted  justice;  he  purposed  at  any  cost  to 
become  the  most  powerful  man  in  Iceland.  There  is  even 
ground  for  belief  that  he  deliberately  undertook  to  betray 
the  republic  to  Hakon  of  Norway,  and  that  only  his  lack  of 
courage  prevented  him  from  subverting  his  country's  lib- 
erty. Failure  brought  about  his  death,  for  Snorri,  who  had 
been  a  favorite  at  the  Norwegian  court,  incurred  the  King's 
suspicion  after  fifteen  years  had  passed  with  no  accom- 
plishment; and  daring  to  leave  Norway  against  Hakon's 
command,  he  fell  under  the  royal  displeasure.  Gizurr,  his 
murderer,  proved  to  have  been  acting  at  the  express  order 
of  the  King. 

Eirikr  Magnusson,  in  the  admirable  biography  to  which 
I  have  referred,  attempts  to  apologize  for  Snorri's  faults  on 
the  ground  that  he  "really  compares  very  favorably  with 
the  leading  contemporary  godar  [chieftains]  of  the  land."  It 
is  true  that  he  made  no  overt  attempt  to  keep  his  treason- 

^  Sturlunga  Saga,  edited  by  G.  Vigfusson,  Oxford,  1878. 

^T/ie  Saga  Library,  edited  by  William  Morris  and  Eirikr  Magnusson,  vol.  vi  5 

Heimskringla,  vol.  iv,  London,  1905. 


xii  INTRODUCTION 

able  promise  to  Norway,  but  I  think  it  by  no  means  cer- 
tain that  repentance  stayed  his  hand.  Indeed,  familiar  as  he 
was  with  the  hopelessly  anarchical  conditions  of  his  native 
land,  its  devastating  feuds,  its  plethora  of  lawless,  unscru- 
pulous chiefs,  all  striving  for  wealth  and  influence,  none 
inspired  with  a  genuine  affection  for  the  commonwealth, 
nor  understanding  the  fundamental  principles  of  demo- 
cracy, Snorri  may  well  have  felt  that  it  were  far  better  to 
endure  a  foreign  ruler  who  could  compel  union  and  peace. 
If  this  was  the  motive  underlying  his  self-abasement  at  the 
Norwegian  court  and  his  promises  to  Hakon,  then  weak- 
ness alone  is  sufficient  to  account  for  his  failure;  if  he  had 
no  such  purpose,  he  must  be  regarded  as  both  weak  and 
treacherous. 

It  is  with  relief  that  we  turn  to  Snorri's  works,  to  find 
in  them,  at  least,  traces  of  genuine  nobility  of  spirit.  The 
unscrupulous  politician  kept  sound  and  pure  some  corner 
of  his  heart  in  which  to  enshrine  his  love  for  his  people's 
glorious  past,  for  the  myths  of  their  ancient  gods,  half 
grotesque  and  half  sublime:  for  the  Christ-like  Baldr;  for 
Promethean  Odin  and  Tyr, sacrificing  eye  and  hand  to  save 
the  race;  for  the  tears  of  Freyja,  the  tragic  sorrows  of 
Gudrun,the  pitiful  end  of  Svanhildr,  the  magnificent,  all- 
devastating  fire  of  Ragnarok. 

His  interest  in  these  wondrous  things,  like  Scott's  love 
for  the  heroes,  beliefs,  and  customs  of  the  Scottish  folk, 
was,  I  think,  primarily  antiquarian.  Indefatigable  in  re- 
search, with  an  artist's  eye  for  the  picturesque,  a  poet's 
feeling  for  the  dramatic  and  the  human,  he  created  the 
most  vivid,  vital  histories  that  have  yet  been  penned.  Ac- 
curate beyond  the  manner  of  his  age,  gifted  with  genius 
for  expression,  divining  the  human  personalities,  the  comic 


INTRODUCTION  xii 


() 


r  tragic  interplay  of  ambitions,  passions,  and  destinies 
behind  the  mere  chronicled  events,  he  had  almost  ideal 
qualities  as  an  historian. 

Poet  he  was  too,  though  the  codified  rules,  the  cryp- 
tic phrase,  and  conventional  expression,  which  indeed 
"bound"  together  the  words  of  the  singers  of  ancient 
Scandinavia,  must  spoil  his  verse  for  us.  Yet  it  is  well  to 
remember  that  in  his  own  lifetime,  not  his  natural  prose, 
but  his  artificial  poetry  was  famous  throughout  the  North. 

Snorri's  greatest  work  is  undoubtedly  the  HeimskringlaJ' 
Beginning  with  a  rationalized  account  of  the  founding  of 
Northern  civilization  by  the  ancient  gods,  he  proceeds 
through  heroic  legend  to  the  historical  period,  and  follows 
the  careers  of  his  heroes  on  the  throne,  in  Eastern  courts 
and  camps,  or  on  forays  in  distant  lands,  from  the  earliest 
times  to  the  reign  of  Sverrir,  who  came  to  the  throne  in 
1 1 84,  five  years  after  the  author's  birth. 

"The  materials  at  Snorri's  disposal,"  says  Magnusson,^ 
"were:  oral  tradition;  written  genealogical  records;  old 
songs  or  narrative  lays  such  as  ThiodolPs  Tale^  of  the 
Ynglingsand  Eyvind's  HalogaTale;  poems  of  court  poets, 
/.^.,  historic  songs,  which  people  knew  by  heart  all  from 
the  days  of  Hairfair  down  to  Snorri's  own  tirhe.  'And  most 
store,'  he  says,  'we  set  by  that  which  is  said  in  such  songs 
as  were  sung  before  the  chiefs  themselves  or  the  sons  of 
them;  and  we  hold  all  that  true  which  is  found  in  these 
songs  concerning  their  wayfarings  and  their  battles.'  Of 

'An  excellent  description  and  classification  of  the  MSS.  may  be  found  In  T^he 
Saga  Library,  vol.  vi,  Introductory,  pp.  Ixxiv-lxxvi.  For  Snorri's  sources  con- 
sult pp.  Ixxvi  fF. 

^  Il/id.y  p.  Ixxxvi. 

^  Tal  is  used  here  in  the  sense  of  an  enumeration  (of  ancestors);  hence,  a 
genealogy. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

the  written  prose  sources  he  drew  upon  he  only  mentions 
Arl  the  Learned's  'book/  .  .  .  probably,  as  it  seems  to  us, 
because  in  the  statements  of  that  work  he  had  as  implicit 
a  faith  as  in  the  other  sources  he  mentions,  and  found 
reason  to  alter  nothing  therein,  while  the  sources  he  does 
not  mention  he  silently  criticises  throughout,  rejecting  or 
altering  them  according  as  his  critical  faculty  dictated. 

"  Before  Snorri's  time  there  existed  only  .  .  .  separate, 
disjointed  biographical  monographs  on  Norwegian  kings, 
written  on  the  model  of  the  family  sagas  of  Iceland.  Snorri's 
was  a  more  ambitious  task.  Discerning  that  the  course  of 
life  is  determined  by  cause  and  effect,  and  that  in  the  lives 
of  kings  widely  ramified  interests,  national  and  dynastic, 
come  into  play,  he  conceived  a  new  idea  of  saga- writing : 
the  seed  of  cause  sown  in  the  preceding  must  yield  its  crop 
of  effect  in  the  succeeding  reign.  This  the  writer  of  lives 
of  kings  must  bear  in  mind.  And  so  Snorri  addresses  him- 
self to  writing  the  Jirst  pragmc2tic  history  ever  penned  in  any 
Teutonic  vernacular — the  Heimskringla,'*' 

The  evidence  for  Snorri's  authorship  of  Heimskringla 
is  not  conclusive;  but  Vigfiisson's  demonstration  is  ac- 
cepted by  most  scholars.^  We  may  safely  assume,  apart 
from  the  general  tendency  of  the  external  evidence,  that 
one  and  the  same  author  must  have  written  the  histories 
and  the  Prose  Edda.  A  comparison  of  the  names  of  skalds 
and  skaldic  poems  mentioned  in  both  works  will  show  that 
the  author  of  each  had  a  wide  acquaintance  with  the  con- 
ventional poetic  literature  of  Scandinavia,  particularly  of 
Iceland,  and  that,  if  we  suppose  two  distinct  authors,  both 
men  had  almost  precisely  the  same  poetic  equipment.  Each 

'  See  Sturlunga  Saga,  vol.  i,  Proleg.,  pp.  Ixxv  ff.  The  limitations  of  an  introduc- 
tion do  not  permit  an  abstract  of  the  discussion  in  this  place. 


INTRODUCTION  xv 

of  the  works  under  consideration  begins  with  a  rationali- 
zation of  the  Odinic  myths,  and  reveals  an  identity  of 
attitude  toward  the  ancient  faith.  Furthermore,  the  careful 
reader  will  be  charmed  with  the  sinewy  style  of  both  the 
Heimskringla  and  the  Edda^  and  will  be  obliged  to  admit 
the  close  similarity  between  them  in  structure  and  in  ex- 
pression. Finally,  Vigfiisson  has  shown  that  they  exhibit 
occasionally  a  remarkable  identity  of  phrase/ 

The  Prose  Edda  is  undoubtedly  by  Snorri.  It  is  pre- 
served in  three  primary  manuscripts:  Codex  Regius,  early 
fourteenth  century;  Codex  Wormianus,  fourteenth  cen- 
tury, named  from  Ole  Worm,  from  whose  hands  it  passed, 
in  1706,  into  the  hands  of  Arni  Magnusson;  and  Codex 
Upsaliensis,  about  1300,  perhaps  a  direct  copy  of  Snorri's 
own  text.  This  last  manuscript,  and  also  the  Arnamagnaean 
vellum  No.  748,  which  preserves  a  portion  of  the  text,  tes- 
tify unmistakably  to  Snorri's  authorship;  the  Codex  even 
gives,  in  detail,  the  subjects  of  the  three  divisions  of  the 
book. 

These  three  divisions,  but  for  the  evidence  of  the  manu- 
scripts, might  seem  to  afford  ground  for  assuming  plural 
authorship.  The  first  part, the  Gylfaginning^ov  Beguiling  of 
Gylfi,  is  an  epitome  of  Odinic  mythology,  cast  in  the  form 
of  a  dialogue  between  Gylfi,  a  legendary  Swedish  king, 
and  the  triune  Odin.  Snorri,  though  a  Christian,  tells  the 
old  pagan  tales  with  obvious  relish,  and  often,  in  the  enthu- 
siasm of  the  true  antiquary,  rises  to  magnificent  heights. 
Ever  and  again  he  fortifies  his  narrative  with  citations  from 
the  Poetic  Edda^  the  great  treasure-house  of  Scandinavian 
mythological  and  heroic  poetry. 

One  passes  from  Gylfaginning  to  Skalds kaparmal  with 

'See  Stiirlunga  Sag.i^  vol.  i,  Proleg.  pp.  Ixxvii,  and  note. 


xvi  INTRODUCTION 

very  little  shock,  in  spite  of  the  great  difFerence  in  subject 
and  treatment,  which  the  author  has  attempted,  rather  skil- 
fully, to  modulate  through  a  second  dialogue.  The  ques- 
tioner this  time  is  one  iEgir;  and  replies  are  made  by  the 
god  Bragi,  famed  for  eloquence  and  the  gift  of  poetic  ex- 
pression. This  intermediate  dialogue,  called  Bragaradur^ 
or  Bragi's  Discourses,  strikes  the  keynote  of  the  entire 
book,  and  really  reconciles  the  first  section  to  the  second 
and  third,  whose  dissimilarity  to  Gylfaginning  have  led  some 
scholars  to  believe  that  one  or  the  other  is  not  Snorri's 
work.  The  god  relates  several  adventures  of  the  ^sir  of 
the  same  character  as  those  recounted  in  Gylfaginning^  and 
concludes  with  a  myth  concerning  the  origin  of  the  poetic 
art.  From  this  point  on,  barely  maintaining  the  fiction  of 
the  dialogue,  Snorri  makes  his  work  a  treatise  on  the  con- 
ventional vocabulary  and  phraseology  of  skaldship,  for  the 
guidance  of  young  skalds. 

The  third  section  of  the  Edda  is  the  Hattatal^  or  Enu- 
meration of  Metres,  and  combines  three  separate  songs  of 
praise:  one  on  King  Hakon,a  second  on  Skiili  Bardsson, 
the  King's  father-in-law  and  most  powerful  vassal,  and 
a  third  celebrating  both.  Each  of  the  hundred  and  two  stan- 
zas of  the  work  belongs  to  a  distinct  metric  type  or  sub- 
type, and  between  stanzas  Snorri  has  inserted  definitions, 
occasionally  longer  notes,  or  comments. 

We  are  now  in  a  position  to  see  the  purpose  and  the 
artistic  unity  of  the  Prose  Edda:  the  entire  work  is  a  text- 
book for  apprentice  poets.  Gylfaginning^  conceived  in  the 
true  antiquarian  spirit,  supplies  the  mythological  and  le- 
gendary background  which,  in  the  Christian  age  that  had 
superseded  the  vivid  old  heathen  days,  a  young  man  might 
not  know  or  might  avoid.  "Do  not  lose  sight  of  these 


INTRODUCTION  xvii 

splendid  tales  of  the  fathers,"  Snorri,  by  implication,  says 
to  the  youthful  bard;  "but  remember  always  that  these  old 
legends  are  to  be  used  to  point  a  moral  or  adorn  a  tale,  and 
not  to  be  believed,  or  to  be  altered  without  authority  of 
ancient  skalds  who  knew  them.  Belief  is  sin;  tampering 
with  tradition  is  a  crime  against  scholarship." 

The  second  and  third  sections,  Skaldskaparinal  ?iVv^  Hdt- 
tatal^  offer  the  rules  of  composition,  and  drive  them  home 
by  means  of  models  drawn,  in  the  one  case,  from  acknow- 
ledged masters  of  the  craft,  in  the  other,  by  the  example 
of  a  complete  skaldic  trilogy,  the  work  of  a  man  who  was 
accepted  by  his  own  time  as  a  worthy  successor  of  Bragi, 
Kormakr,  and  Einarr.  A  needed  transition  from  the  lit- 
erary to  the  technical  portion  of  the  book  is  supplied  by 
Bragaj'adur^  which  narrates,  in  the  same  spirit  as  Gylfa- 
ginning^  further  useful  tales,  and  concludes  with  a  mytho- 
logical account  of  the  skaldic  art. 

Even  the  Prologue,  which  many  scholars  consider  spu- 
rious, is  an  integral  part  of  the  work — a  fact  established 
by  Snorri's  single  address,  in  the  character  of  the  author, 
to  beginners.  In  this  apostrophe  he  refers  to  the  Prologue: 
"  Remember,  these  tales  are  to  be  used  only  as  Chief  Skalds 
have  used  them,  and  must  be  revered  as  ancient  tradition, 
but  are  neither  to  be  believed  nor  to  be  tampered  with. 
Regard  them  as  I  have  indicated  at  the  heginning  of  this 
hookJ^  The  beginning  of  the  book  is  a  summary  of  the 
Biblical  story  of  the  Creation  and  Deluge,  followed  by  a 
rationalixed  account  of  the  rise  of  the  ancient  pagan  faith, 
according  to  which  the  old  gods  appear,  not  as  deities,  but 
as  men. 

The  word  "Edda,"  as  applied  to  the  whole  work,  has 
long  furnished  scholars  with  material  for  disputation.  The 


xviii  INTRODUCTION 

different  theories  regarding  it  need  not  be  re-stated  here. 
It  is  the  translator's  personal  opinion  that  Magniisson's 
etymology,  if  not  established,  is  at  least  the  most  satisfac- 
tory one  likely  to  be  offered.  Magniisson^  points  out  that 
Snorri  passed  the  interval  between  his  third  and  nineteenth 
years  at  Oddi,  under  the  fostering  of  the  grandson  of 
Saemundr  the  Learned;  that  Saemundr,  who  had  studied 
at  Paris,  had  founded  a  school  at  Oddi ;  that  Snorri  became 
the  author  of  a  book  which  was  called  Edda;  and  that 
this  book  contains,  in  its  first  section,  a  prose  paraphrase 
of  many  of  the  songs  from  the  Elder  or  Poetic  Edda^  to- 
gether with  a  number  of  quotations  from  that  work.  Now 
the  Poetic  Edda  was  ascribed  by  its  earliest  recorded  pos- 
sessor. Bishop  Brynjolf  Sveinsson,  to  Saemundr;  and  while 
it  is  improbable  that  Saemundr  composed  the  poem,  it  is 
highly  probable  that  it  once  formed  part  of  his  library  at 
Oddi.  There  Snorri  may  have  learned  to  know  it;  and  we 
may  assume  that  he  gave  the  prose  edition  the  name  of 
its  poetical  original.  That  original,  '^the  mother  MS.,"  he 
thinks  would  naturally  have  been  called  ^^the  book  of,  or 
at  Oddi,"  which  would  be  expressed,  in  Icelandic,  either 
as  "Oddabok,"  or  as  "Edda,"  following,  in  the  latter  case, 
accepted  linguistic  laws. 

Snorri's  familiarity  with  the  Elder  or  Poetic  Edda  is 
demonstrated  by  his  frequent  quotations  from  Voluspa^  Ha- 
vamal^  Grimnhmal^  Vafthrudnismal^  Alsv'innsmal  or  Alviss- 
mal^  and  Grottasongr ,  He  knew  Lokasenna  as  well,  but  con- 
fused three  stanzas,apparently  failing  to  remember  the  order 

'  Magnusson*s  theory,  with  a  summary  of  all  others  in  the  field,  was  pre- 
sented in  a  paper  read  before  the  Viking  Club  on  November  15,  1895,  pub- 
lished in  the  Saga  Book  of  that  society,  and  separately  printed  at  London  in 
1896. 


INTRODUCTION  xix 

in  his  original.  One  poem  that  he  mentions  is  lacking  in  the 
Poetic  Edda  as  we  know  it :  Heimdallargaldr^  the  Song  or 
Incantation  of  Heimdallr;  moreover,  he  makes  seventeen 
citations  from  other  poems  which,  although  lost  to  us,  evi- 
dently formed  portions  of  the  original  Eddie  collections,  or 
belonged  to  the  same  traditional  stock.  The  disappearance 
of  the  manuscript  which  Snorri  used  is  a  great  loss. 

The  first  translation  of  the  Prose  Edda  was  published  at 
Copenhagen  in  1665,  when  the  complete  text  appeared, 
with  Latin  and  Danish  interpretation.  This  was  entitled 
Edda  islandorum  an,  Chr,  1 21^  islandice  conscripta  per  Snor- 
ronem  Sturlce^  nunc  primum  islandice^  danice^  et  latine  ex  an- 
tiquis  codicihus  in  lucem  prodit  opera  P.  y.  Resenii,  The  stand- 
ard Danish  translation  is  that  of  R.  Nyerup,  Copenhagen, 
1865.  In  1746,  J.  Goransson  printed  at  Upsala  the  first 
Swedish  version,  with  a  Latin  translation.  Goransson's 
original  was  the  Codex  Upsaliensis.  Anders  Uppstrom 
made  an  independent  translation  in  1859. 

In  1 75  5-5  6  there  appeared  at  Copenhagen  a  work  of  the 
greatest  importance  for  the  study  of  Scandinavian  antiqui- 
ties in  England :  Mallet's  Monumens  de  la  Mythologie  et  de  la 
Poesie  des  Celtes  et  Particulierement  des  Anciens  Scandtnaves. 
This  book,  which  comprised  a  general  introduction  on  the 
ancient  Scandinavian  civilization,  a  translation  of  Gylfa- 
gmning^  and  a  synopsis  of  Skalds kaparmal  and  Hattatal^ 
was  turned  into  English  by  Bishop  Percy,  under  the  title 
oi  Northern  Antiquities,  Percy  claimed  to  know  Goransson's 
text  as  well  as  the  French.  Northern  Antiquities  was  pub- 
lished at  London  in  17  70,  and  was  reprinted  at  Edinburgh 
in  1809,  with  additions  by  Sir  Walter  Scott. 

The  best-known  translation,  and  the  only  complete  one 
which  is  at  all  trustworthy,  is  that  in  Latin,  combined, with 


XX  INTRODUCTION 

the  Icelandic  text,  in  the  Arnamagnaean  edition,  Copen- 
hagen, 1848-87. 

In  1842,  G.  W.  Dasent,  the  translator  of  Njals  Saga^ 
and  a  prominent  scholar  in  the  Scandinavian  field,  printed 
at  Stockholm  his  Prose  or  Younger  Edda^  which  contains 
a  translation  of  Gylfaginn'ing  and  of  the  narrative  passages 
of  SkaldskaparmaL  A  similarly  incomplete  English  version 
was  printed  at  Chicago,  in  1880,  by  Rasmus  B.  Anderson. 
Professor  Anderson  also  edited  a  combined  translation  of 
both  Eddas,  the  Poetic  Edda  by  Benjamin  Thorpe,  and 
the  Prose  Edda  by  I.  A.  Blackwell.  Blackwell's  transla- 
tion, which  stops  with  Bragarcsdur^  had  first  appeared  at 
London  in  1847,  together  with  an  abstract  of  Eyrbyggja 
Saga  by  Scott.  Samuel  Laing's  translation  is  likewise  in- 
complete. 

A  French  version  of  Gylfaginning^  La  Fascination  de 
Gulfi^  was  published  at  Strassburg  by  F.  G.  Bergmann. 
A  second  edition  appeared  in  1871. 

So  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  the  first  translation  into  Ger- 
man was  the  work  of  Friedrich  Riihs,  Berlin,  18 12.  This 
contains  a  long  historical  introduction,  and  ends  with  the 
story  of  the  Volsungs  in  SkaldskaparmaL  Karl  Simrock's 
Die  yungere Edda ^  puhlished  in  1851  and  reprinted  in  1855, 
although  incomplete,  is  more  accurate  than  any  earlier 
translation,  and  is  remarkable  for  its  literary  excellence. 
The  most  scholarly  rendering  into  German  is  by  Hugo 
Gering,  Leipzig,  1892,  but  unfortunately  it  includes  only 
the  narrative  portions  of  the  book. 

Until  1900,  the  best  edition  of  Snorri's  Edda  was  by 
Thorleifr  Jonsson,  Copenhagen,  1875.  This  was  super- 
seded by  Finnur  Jonsson's  splendid  Danish  edition.  In 
1907,  Professor  Jonsson  produced  an  Icelandic  edition, 


INTRODUCTION  xxi 

which  forms  volume  xH  of  the  hlendinga  Sogur^  pubHshed 
at  Reykjavik. 

It  was  fortunate  for  me  that  these  last  two  editions  ap- 
peared before  I  began  my  work.  Professor  Jonsson  pro- 
vided me  with  an  excellent  text;  and,  second  in  value  only 
to  this,  with  an  index  and  an  invaluable  Icelandic  prose 
re-phrasing  of  the  skaldic  verses. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  the  highly  technical  nature  of 
Hattatal  forbids  translation  into  English.  There  are,  to  be 
sure,  more  or  less  —  usually  less  —  accurate  translations 
into  Scandinavian  and  into  Latin.  Even  in  the  excellent 
Arnamagnaean  edition,  many  of  the  glosses  are  purely  con- 
jectural; and  any  attempt  to  convey  into  English  a  vocabu- 
lary which  has  no  equivalent  in  our  language  must  fail. 
Skaldskaparmal^  however,  is  here  presented,  complete,  for 
the  first  time  in  English. 

To  those  who  have  helped  me  I  wish  to  express  my 
deepest  appreciation.  First  of  all,  to  Professor  William 
Henry  Schofield  I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  is  more 
than  four  years  old,  and  has  increased  beyond  computa- 
tion. Dr.  Henry  Goddard  Leach,  my  first  instructor  in 
Scandinavian  literature,  gave  me  my  greatest  single  in- 
tellectual stimulus,  and  thereby  determined  the  current 
of  my  work.  Dr.  Frederick  W.  Lieder,  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, deserves  my  thanks  for  his  devoted  assistance  in 
reading  proof,  a  task  as  dreary  as  it  is  essential.  I  am  also 
indebted  for  valuable  suggestions  to  Mr.  H.  W.  Rabe,  of 
Simmons  College. 

It  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  acknowledge  these  debts, 
incurred  in  the  course  of  a  labor  which  has  been  my  de- 
light for  several  years.  I  should,  however,  do  injustice  to 
those  who  have  aided  me,  as  well  as  to  myself,  if  I  did 


xxii  INTRODUCTION 

not  assume  full  responsibility  for  the  faults  of  the  trans- 
lation. Whatever  these  may  be,  I  trust  that  the  book  may 
perform  some  service  in  bringing  before  the  English- 
reading  public  a  greater  portion  of  Snorri's  classic  treatise 
than  has  previously  been  accessible.  The  reader  will  per- 
ceive the  value  of  the  Edda  if  he  will  compare  it,  for  legen- 
dary and  antiquarian  interest,  with  the  Mahinogion^  and 
will  also  realize  that  the  Edda  is  a  masterpiece  of  style, 
—  style  that  no  translator  can  ever  reproduce. 

A.  G.  B. 


Cambridge^  Massachusetts 
July  I,  1916 


PROLOGUE 


PROLOGUE 

IN  the  beginning  God  created  heaven  and  earth  and  all 
those  things  which  are  in  them;  and  last  of  all,  two 
of  human  kind,  Adam  and  Eve,  from  whom  the  races  are 
descended.  And  their  offspring  multiplied  among  them- 
selves and  were  scattered  throughout  the  earth.  But  as  time 
passed,  the  races  of  men  became  unlike  in  nature:  some 
were  good  and  believed  on  the  right;  but  many  more  turned 
after  the  lusts  of  the  world  and  slighted  God's  command. 
Wherefore,  God  drowned  the  world  in  a  swelling  of  the 
sea,  and  all  living  things,  save  them  alone  that  were  in 
the  ark  with  Noah.  After  Noah's  flood  eight  of  mankind 
remained  alive,  who  peopled  the  earth;  and  the  races  de- 
scended from  them.  And  it  was  even  as  before:  when  the 
earth  was  full  of  folk  and  inhabited  of  many,  then  all  the 
multitude  of  mankind  began  to  love  greed,  wealth,  and 
worldly  honor,  but  neglected  the  worship  of  God.  Now 
accordingly  it  came  to  so  evil  a  pass  that  they  would  not 
name  God;  and  who  then  could  tell  their  sons  of  God's 
mighty  wonders  ?  Thus  it  happened  that  they  lost  the  name 
of  God;  and  throughout  the  wideness  of  the  world  the 
man  was  not  found  who  could  distinguish  in  aught  the 
trace  of  his  Creator.  But  not  the  less  did  God  bestow 
upon  them  the  gifts  of  the  earth :  wealth  and  happiness, 
for  their  enjoyment  in  the  world;  He  increased  also  their 
wisdom,  so  that  they  knew  all  earthly  matters,  and  every 
phase  of  whatsoever  they  might  see  in  the  air  and  on  the 
earth. 

One  thing  they  wondered  and  pondered  over:  what  it 
might  mean,  that  the  earth  and  the  beasts  and  the  birds  had 
one  nature  in  some  ways,  and  yet  were  unlike  in  manner  of 


4  PROLOGUE 

life.  In  this  was  their  nature  one :  that  the  earth  was  cleft 
into  lofty  mountain-peaks,  wherein  water  spurted  up,  and 
it  was  not  needful  to  dig  longer  for  water  there  than  in  the 
deep  valleys;  so  it  is  also  with  beasts  and  birds:  it  is  equally 
far  to  the  blood  in  the  head  and  the  feet.  Another  quality 
of  the  earth  is,  that  in  each  year  grass  and  flowers  grow 
upon  the  earth,  and  in  the  same  year  all  that  growth  falls 
away  and  withers;  it  is  even  so  with  beasts  and  birds:  hair 
and  feathers  grow  and  fall  away  each  year.  This  is  the  third 
nature  of  the  earth,  that  when  it  is  opened  and  dug  up,  the 
grass  grows  straightway  on  the  soil  which  is  uppermost  on 
the  earth.  Boulders  and  stones  they  likened  to  the  teeth  and 
bones  of  living  beings.  Thus  they  recognized  that  the  earth 
was  quick,  and  had  life  with  some  manner  of  nature  of  its 
own;  and  they  understood  that  she  was  wondrous  old  in 
years  and  mighty  in  kind:  she  nourished  all  that  lived,  and 
she  took  to  herself  all  that  died.  Therefore  they  gave  her 
a  name,  and  traced  the  number  of  their  generations  from 
her.  The  same  thing,  moreover,  they  learned  from  their 
aged  kinsmen:  that  many  hundreds  of  years  have  been 
numbered  since  the  same  earth  yet  was,  and  the  same  sun 
and  stars  of  the  heavens;  but  the  courses  of  these  were 
unequal,  some  having  a  longer  course,  and  some  a  shorter. 
From  things  like  these  the  thought  stirred  within  them 
that  there  might  be  some  governor  of  the  stars  of  heaven : 
one  who  might  order  their  courses  after  his  will;  and  that 
he  must  be  very  strong  and  full  of  might.  This  also  they 
held  to  be  true:  that  if  he  swayed  the  chief  things  of  crea- 
tion, he  must  have  been  before  the  stars  of  heaven;  and 
they  saw  that  if  he  ruled  the  courses  of  the  heavenly  bodies, 
he  must  also  govern  the  shining  of  the  sun,  and  the  dews 
of  the  air,  and  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  whatsoever  grows 


PROLOGUE  5 

upon  it;  and  in  like  manner  the  winds  of  the  air  and  the 
storms  of  the  sea.  They  knew  not  yet  where  his  kingdom 
was;  but  this  they  beheved:  that  he  ruled  all  things  on  earth 
and  in  the  sky,  the  great  stars  also  of  the  heaven,  and  the 
winds  of  the  sea.  Wherefore,  not  only  to  tell  of  this  fit- 
tingly, but  also  that  they  might  fasten  it  in  memory,  they 
gave  names  out  of  their  own  minds  to  all  things.  This  be- 
lief of  theirs  has  changed  in  many  ways,  according  as  the 
peoples  drifted  asunder  and  their  tongues  became  severed 
one  from  another.  But  all  things  they  discerned  with  the 
wisdom  of  the  earth,  for  the  understanding  of  the  spirit  was 
not  given  to  them ;  this  they  perceived,  that  all  things  were 
fashioned  of  some  essence. 


II 

The  world  was  divided  into  three  parts:  from  the  south, 
extending  into  the  west  and  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean 
Sea, — all  this  part  was  called  Africa,  the  southern  quarter 
of  which  is  hot,  so  that  it  is  parched  with  the  sun.  The  sec- 
ond part,  from  west  to  north  and  bordering  on  the  ocean, 
is  called  Europa  or  Enea;  its  northern  part  is  so  cold  that 
no  grass  grows  upon  it,  and  no  man  dwells  there.  From 
the  north  and  all  down  over  the  eastern  part,  even  to  the 
south,  is  called  Asia.  In  that  region  of  the  world  is  all  fair- 
ness and  pride,  and  the  fruits  of  the  earth's  increase,  gold 
and  jewels.  There  also  is  the  centre  of  the  earth;  and  even 
as  the  land  there  is  lovelier  and  better  in  every  way  than 
in  other  places,  so  also  were  the  sons  of  men  there  most 
favored  with  all  goodly  gifts:  wisdom,  and  strength  of  the 
body,  beauty,  and  all  manner  of  knowledge. 


6  PROLOGUE 

III 

Near  the  earth's  centre  was  made  that  goodliest  of  homes 
and  haunts  that  ever  have  been,  vi^hich  is  called  Troy, 
even  that  which  we  call  Turkland.  This  abode  was  much 
more  gloriously  made  than  others,  and  fashioned  with  more 
skill  of  craftsmanship  in  manifold  wise,  both  in  luxury  and 
in  the  wealth  which  was  there  in  abundance.  There  were 
twelve  kingdoms  and  one  High  King,  and  many  sovereign- 
ties belonged  to  each  kingdom;  in  the  stronghold  were 
twelve  chieftains.  These  chieftains  were  in  every  manly 
part  greatly  above  other  men  that  have  ever  been  in  the 
world.  One  king  among  them  was  called  Miinon  or  Men- 
non;  and  he  was  wedded  to  the  daughter  of  the  High  King 
Priam,  her  who  was  called  Troan;  they  had  a  child  named 
Tror,  whom  we  call  Thor.  He  was  fostered  in  Thrace  by 
a  certain  war-duke  called  Lorikus;  but  when  he  was  ten 
winters  old  he  took  unto  him  the  weapons  of  his  father. 
He  was  as  goodly  to  look  upon,  when  he  came  among 
other  men,  as  the  ivory  that  is  inlaid  in  oak;  his  hair  was 
fairer  than  gold.  When  he  was  twelve  winters  old  he  had 
his  full  measure  of  strength;  then  he  lifted  clear  of  the 
earth  ten  bear-skins  all  at  one  time;  and  then  he  slew 
Duke  Lorikus,  his  foster-father,  and  with  him  his  wife 
Lora,  or  Glora,  and  took  into  his  own  hands  the  realm  of 
Thrace,  which  we  call  Thrudheim.Then  he  went  forth  far 
and  wide  over  the  lands,  and  sought  out  every  quarter  of 
the  earth,  overcoming  alone  all  berserks  and  giants,  and 
one  dragon,  greatest  of  all  dragons,  and  many  beasts.  In  the 
northern  half  of  his  kingdom  he  found  the  prophetess  that 
is  called  Sibil,  whom  we  call  Sif,  and  wedded  her.  The 
lineage  of  Sif  I  cannot  tell;  she  was  fairest  of  all  women, 


PROLOGUE  7 

and  her  hair  was  like  gold.  Their  son  was  Loridi,  who  re- 
sembled his  father;  his  son  was  Einridi,  his  son  Vingethor, 
his  son  Vingener,  his  son  Moda,  his  son  Magi,  his  son 
Seskef,  his  son  Bedvig,  his  son  Athra  (whom  we  call 
Annarr),  his  son  Itermann,  his  son  Heremod,  his  son  Skjal- 
dun  (whom  we  call  Skjold),  his  son  Bjaf  (whom  we  call 
Bjarr),  his  son  Jat,  his  son  Gudolfr,  his  son  Finn,  his  son 
Friallaf  (whom  we  call  Fridleifr);  his  son  was  he  who  is 
named  Voden,  whom  we  call  Odin:  he  was  a  man  far- 
famed  for  wisdom  and  every  accomplishment.  His  wife 
was  Frigida,  whom  we  call  Frigg. 


IV 


Odin  had  second  sight,  and  his  wife  also;  and  from  their 
foreknowledge  he  found  that  his  name  should  be  exalted 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  world  and  glorified  above  the 
fame  of  all  other  kings.  Therefore,  he  made  ready  to  jour- 
ney out  of  Turkland,  and  was  accompanied  by  a  great 
multitude  of  people,  young  folk  and  old,  men  and  women; 
and  they  had  with  them  much  goods  of  great  price.  And 
wherever  they  went  over  the  lands  of  the  earth,  many  glori- 
ous things  were  spoken  of  them,  so  that  they  were  held 
more  like  gods  than  men.  They  made  no  end  to  their  jour- 
neying till  they  were  come  north  into  the  land  that  is  now 
called  Saxland;  there  Odin  tarried  for  a  long  space,  and 
took  the  land  into  his  own  hand,  far  and  wide. 

In  that  land  Odin  set  up  three  of  his  sons  for  land- 
wardens.  One  was  named  Vegdeg:  he  was  a  mighty  king 
and  ruled  over  East  Saxland;  his  son  was  Vitgils;  his  sons 
were  Vitta,  Heingistr's  father,  and  Sigarr,  father  of  Sveb- 
deg,  whom  we  call  Svipdagr.  The  second  son  of  Odin  was 


8  PROLOGUE 

Beldeg,  whom  we  call  Baldr :  he  had  the  land  which  is  now 
called  Westphalia.  His  son  was  Brandr,  his  son  Frjodigar 
(whom  we  call  Frodi),  his  son  Freovin,  his  son  Uvigg, 
his  son  Gevis  (whom  we  call  Gave).  Odin's  third  son  is 
named  Sigi,  his  son  Rerir.  These  the  forefathers  ruled  over 
what  is  now  called  Frankland;  and  thence  is  descended  the 
house  known  as  Volsungs.  From  all  these  are  sprung  many 
and  great  houses. 

Then  Odin  began  his  way  northward,  and  came  into 
the  land  which  they  called  Reidgothland ;  and  in  that  land 
he  took  possession  of  all  that  pleased  him.  He  set  up  over 
the  land  that  son  of  his  called  Skjoldr,  whose  son  was  Frid- 
leifr, — and  thence  descends  the  house  of  the  Skjoldungs: 
these  are  the  kings  of  the  Danes.  And  what  was  then  called 
Reidgothland  is  now  called  Jutland. 


After  that  he  went  northward,  where  the  land  is  called 
Sweden;  the  king  there  was  named  Gylfi.  When  the  king 
learned  of  the  coming  of  those  men  of  Asia,  who  were 
called  JEsky  he  went  to  meet  them,  and  made  offer  to  them 
that  Odin  should  have  such  power  in  his  realm  as  he  him- 
self wielded.  And  such  well-being  followed  ever  upon  their 
footsteps,  that  in  whatsoever  lands  they  dwelt  were  good 
seasons  and  peace;  and  all  believed  that  they  caused  these 
things,  for  the  lords  of  the  land  perceived  that  they  were 
unlike  other  men  whom  they  had  seen,  both  in  fairness  and 
also  in  wisdom. 

The  fields  and  the  choice  lands  in  that  place  seemed  fair 
to  Odin,  and  he  chose  for  himself  the  site  of  a  city  which 
is  now  called  Sigtun.  There  he  established  chieftains  in  the 


PROLOGUE  9 

fashion  which  had  prevailed  in  Troy;  he  set  up  also  twelve 
head-men  to  be  doomsmen  over  the  people  and  to  judge 
the  laws  of  the  land;  and  he  ordained  also  all  laws  as  there 
had  been  before  in  Troy,  and  according  to  the  customs  of 
the  Turks.  After  that  he  went  into  the  north,  until  he  was 
stopped  by  the  sea,  which  men  thought  lay  around  all  the 
lands  of  the  earth;  and  there  he  set  his  son  over  this  king- 
dom, which  is  now  called  Norway.  This  king  was  Saemingr; 
the  kings  of  Norway  trace  their  lineage  from  him,  and  so 
do  also  the  jarls  and  the  other  mighty  men,  as  is  said  in 
the  Haleygjatal,  Odin  had  with  him  one  of  his  sons  called 
Yngvi,  who  was  king  in  Sweden  after  him;  and  those 
houses  come  from  him  that  are  named  Ynglings.  The 
iEsir  took  wives  of  the  land  for  themselves,  and  some  also 
for  their  sons;  and  these  kindreds  became  many  in  number, 
so  that  throughout  Saxland,  and  thence  all  over  the  region 
of  the  north,  they  spread  out  until  their  tongue,  even  the 
speech  of  the  men  of  Asia,  was  the  native  tongue  over  all 
these  lands.  Therefore  men  think  that  they  can  perceive, 
from  their  forefathers'  names  which  are  written  down,  that 
those  names  belonged  to  this  tongue,  and  that  the  ^Esir 
brought  the  tongue  hither  into  the  northern  region,  into 
Norway  and  into  Sweden,  into  Denmark  and  into  Saxland. 
But  in  England  there  are  ancient  lists  of  land-names  and 
place-names  which  may  show  that  these  names  came  from 
another  tongue  than  this. 


GYLFAGINNING 


HERE  BEGINS 
THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI 

I.  King  Gylfi  ruled  the  land  that  men  now  call  Sweden. 
It  is  told  of  him  that  he  gave  to  a  wandering  woman,  in 
return  for  her  merry-making,  a  plow-land  in  his  realm,  as 
much  as  four  oxen  might  turn  up  in  a  day  and  a  night.  But 
this  woman  was  of  the  kin  of  the  iEsir;  she  was  named 
Gefjun.  She  took  from  the  north,  out  of  Jotunheim,  four 
oxen  which  were  the  sons  of  a  certain  giant  and  herself, 
and  set  them  before  the  plow.  And  the  plow  cut  so  wide 
and  so  deep  that  it  loosened  up  the  land;  and  the  oxen  drew 
the  land  out  into  the  sea  and  to  the  westward,  and  stopped 
in  a  certain  sound.  There  Gefjun  set  the  land,  and  gave  it 
a  name,  calling  it  Selund.  And  from  that  time  on,  the  spot 
whence  the  land  had  been  torn  up  is  water:  it  is  now  called 
the  Logr  in  Sweden;  and  bays  lie  in  that  lake  even  as  the 
headlands  in  Selund.  Thus  says  Bragi,  the  ancient  skald: 

Gefjun  drew  from  Gylfi        gladly  the  wave-trove's  free- 
hold, 
Till  from  the  running  beasts         sweat   reeked,  to    Den- 
mark's increase; 
The  oxen  bore,  moreover,        eight  eyes,  gleaming  brow- 
lights. 
O'er  the  field's  wide  booty,  and  four  heads  in  their 

plowing. 

II.  King  Gylfi  was  a  wise  man  and  skilled  in  magic;  he 
was  much  troubled  that  the  ^sir-people  were  so  cunning 
that  all  things  went  according  to  their  will.  He  pondered 
whether  this  might  proceed  from  their  own   nature,  or 


14  PROSE  EDDA 

whether  the  divine  powers  which  they  worshipped  might 
ordain  such  things.  He  set  out  on  his  way  to  Asgard,  going 
secretly,  and  clad  himself  in  the  likeness  of  an  old  man, 
with  which  he  dissembled.  But  the  ^Esir  were  wiser  in  this 
matter,  having  second  sight;  and  they  saw  his  journeying 
before  ever  he  came,  and  prepared  against  him  deceptions 
of  the  eye.  When  he  came  into  the  town,  he  saw  there  a 
hall  so  high  that  he  could  not  easily  make  out  the  top  of 
it:  its  thatching  was  laid  with  golden  shields  after  the  fash- 
ion of  a  shingled  roof.  So  also  says  Thjodolfr  of  Hvin,  that 
Valhall  was  thatched  with  shields: 

On  their  backs  they  let  beam,  sore  battered  with  stones, 
Odin's  hall-shingles,        the  shrewd  sea-farers. 

In  the  hall-doorway  Gylfi  saw  a  man  juggling  with  anlaces, 
having  seven  in  the  air  at  one  time.  This  man  asked  of  him 
his  name.  He  called  himself  Gangleri,  and  said  he  had  come 
by  the  paths  of  the  serpent,  and  prayed  for  lodging  for  the 
night,  asking :  "Who  owns  the  hall?"  The  other  replied 
that  it  was  their  king;  "and  I  will  attend  thee  to  see  him; 
then  shalt  thou  thyself  ask  him  concerning  his  name;"  and 
the  man  wheeled  about  before  him  into  the  hall,  and  he 
went  after,  and  straightway  the  door  closed  itself  on  his 
heels.  There  he  saw  a  great  room  and  much  people,  some 
with  games,  some  drinking;  and  some  had  weapons  and 
were  fighting.  Then  he  looked  about  him,  and  thought 
unbelievable  many  things  which  he  saw;  and  he  said: 

All  the  gateways        ere  one  goes  out 

Should  one  scan: 
For  't  is  uncertain         where  sit  the  unfriendly 

On  the  bench  before  thee. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  15 

He  saw  three  high-seats,  each  above  the  other,  and  three 
men  sat  thereon,  one  on  each.  And  he  asked  what  might 
be  the  name  of  those  lords.  He  who  had  conducted  him  in 
answered  that  the  one  who  sat  on  the  nethermost  high-seat 
was  a  king,  "and  his  name  is  Harr;^  but  the  next  is  named 
Jafnharr;""  and  he  who  is  uppermost  is  called  Thridi."^ 
Then  Harr  asked  the  newcomer  whether  his  errand  were 
more  than  for  the  meat  and  drink  which  were  always  at  his 
command,  as  for  every  one  there  in  the  Hall  of  the  High 
One.  He  answered  that  he  first  desired  to  learn  whether 
there  were  any  wise  man  there  within.  Harr  said,  that  he 
should  not  escape  whole  from  thence  unless  he  were  wiser. 

And  stand  thou  forth         who  speirestj 
Who  answers,        he  shall  sit. 

III.  Gangleri  began  his  questioning  thus:  "Who  is  fore- 
most, or  oldest,  of  all  the  gods?"  Harr  answered:  "  He  is 
called  in  our  speech  Allfather,  but  in  the  Elder  Asgard  he 
had  twelve  names:  one  is  Allfather;  the  second  is  Lord, 
or  Lord  of  Hosts;  the  third  is  Nikarr,  or  Spear-Lord;  the 
fourth  is  Nikudr,  or  Striker;  the  fifth  is  Knower  of  Many 
Things;  the  sixth,  Fulfiller  of  Wishes ;  the  seventh,  Far- 
Speaking  One;  the  eighth.  The  Shaker,  or  He  that  Putteth 
the  Armies  to  Flight;  the  ninth.  The  Burner;  the  tenth. 
The  Destroyer;  the  eleventh.  The  Protector;  the  twelfth, 
Gelding." 

Then  asked  Gangleri :  "  Where  is  this  god,  or  what 
power  hath  he,  or  what  hath  he  wrought  that  is  a  glori- 
ous deed?"  Harr  made  answer:  "He  lives  throughout  all 
ages  and  governs  all  his  realm,  and  directs  all  things,  great 

^  High.  2£qyjiiy  Higjj^  3  Third. 


i6  PROSE  EDDA 

and  small."  Then  said  Jafnharr:  "He  fashioned  heaven 
and  earth  and  air,  and  all  things  which  are  in  them."  Then 
spake  Thridi:  "The  greatest  of  all  is  this:  that  he  made 
man,  and  gave  him  the  spirit,  which  shall  live  and  never 
perish,  though  the  flesh-frame  rot  to  mould,  or  burn  to 
ashes;  and  all  men  shall  live,  such  as  are  just  in  action,  and 
be  with  himself  in  the  place  called  Gimle.  But  evil  men  go 
to  Hel  and  thence  down  to  the  Misty  Hel;  and  that  is  down 
in  the  ninth  world."  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  did  he 
before  heaven  and  earth  were  made?"  And  Harr  answered: 
"He  was  then  with  the  Rime-Giants." 

IV.  Gangleri  said:  "What  was  the  beginning,  or  how 
began  it,  or  what  was  before  it?"  Harr  answered:  "As  is 
told  in  Voluspa: 

Erst  was  the  age        when  nothing  was: 
Nor  sand  nor  sea,         nor  chilling  stream-waves; 
Earth  was  not  found,         nor  Ether-Heaven, — 
A  Yawning  Gap,         but  grass  was  none." 

Then  said  Jafnharr:  "It  was  many  ages  before  the  earth 
was  shaped  that  the  Mist- World  was  made;  and  midmost 
within  it  lies  the  well  that  is  called  Hvergelmir,  from  which 
spring  the  rivers  called  Svol,  Gunnthra,  Fjorm,  Fimbul- 
thul,  Slidr  and  Hrid,  Sylgr  and  Ylgr,  Vid,  Leiptr;  GjoU  is 
hard  by  Hel-gates."  And  Thridi  said:  "Yet  first  was  the 
world  in  the  southern  region,  which  was  named  Miispell; 
it  is  light  and  hot;  that  region  is  glowing  and  burning,  and 
impassable  to  such  as  are  outlanders  and  have  not  their 
holdings  there.  He  who  sits  there  at  the  land's-end,  to 
defend  the  land,  is  called  Surtr;  he  brandishes  a  flaming 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  17 

sword,  and  at  the  end  of  the  world  he  shall  go  forth  and 
harry,  and  overcome  all  the  gods,  and  burn  all  the  world 
with  fire;  thus  is  said  in  Voluspd: 

Surtr  fares  from  the  south  with  switch-eating  flame, — 
On  his  sword  shimmers         the  sun  of  the  War-Gods; 

The  rock-crags  crash;  the  fiends  are  reeling; 
Heroes  tread  Hel-way;         Heaven  is  cloven." 

V.  Gangleri  asked:  "How  were  things  wrought,  ere  the 
races  were  and  the  tribes  of  men  increased?"  Then  said 
Harr:  "The streams  called  Ice-waves,  those  which  were  so 
long  come  from  the  fountain-heads  that  the  yeasty  venom 
upon  them  had  hardened  like  the  slag  that  runs  out  of  the 
fire, — these  then  became  ice;  and  when  the  ice  halted  and 
ceased  to  run,  then  it  froze  over  above.  But  the  drizzling 
rain  that  rose  from  the  venom  congealed  to  rime,  and  the 
rime  increased,  frost  over  frost,  each  over  the  other,  even 
into  Ginnungagap,  the  Yawning  Void."  Then  spake  Jafn- 
harr:  "Ginnungagap,  which  faced  toward  the  northern 
quarter,  became  filled  with  heaviness,  and  masses  of  ice 
and  rime,  and  from  within,  drizzling  rain  and  gusts;  but 
the  southern  part  of  the  Yawning  Void  was  lighted  by  those 
sparks  and  glowing  masses  which  flew  out  of  Muspell- 
heim."  And  Thridi  said:  "Just  as  cold  arose  out  of  Nifl- 
heim,  and  all  terrible  things,  so  also  all  that  looked  toward 
Muspellheim  became  hot  and  glowing;  but  Ginnungagap 
was  as  mild  as  windless  air,  and  when  the  breath  of  heat 
met  the  rime,  so  that  it  melted  and  dripped,  life  was  quick- 
ened from  the  yeast-drops,  by  the  power  of  that  which 
sent  the  heat,  and  became  a  man's  form.  And  that  man  is 
named  Ymir,  but  the  Rime-Giants  call  him  Aurgelmir; 


i8  PROSE  EDDA 

and  thence  are  come  the  races  of  the  Rime-Giants,  as  it 
says  in  Voluspa  the  Less: 

All  the  witches         spring  from  Witolf, 

All  the  warlocks         are  of  Willharm, 

And  the  spell-singers         spring  from  Swarthead; 

All  the  ogres        of  Ymir  come. 

But  concerning  this  says  Vafthrudnir  the  giant: 

Out  of  the  Ice-waves         issued  venom-drops, 
Waxing  until         a  giant  was; 
Thence  are  our  kindred         come  all  together, — 
So  it  is         they  are  savage  forever." 

Then  said  Gangleri :  ^^  How  did  the  races  grow  thence,  or 
after  what  fashion  was  it  brought  to  pass  that  more  men 
came  into  being?  Or  do  ye  hold  him  God,  of  whom  ye 
but  now  spake?"  And  Jafnharr  answered:  "By  no  means 
do  we  acknowledge  him  God;  he  was  evil  and  all  his  kin- 
dred: we  call  them  Rime-Giants.  Now  it  is  said  that  when 
he  slept,  a  sweat  came  upon  him,  and  there  grew  under  his 
left  hand  a  man  and  a  woman,  and  one  of  his  feet  begat 
a  son  with  the  other;  and  thus  the  races  are  come;  these 
are  the  Rime-Giants.  The  old  Rime-Giant,  him  we  call 
Ymir." 

VI.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Where  dwelt  Ymir,  or  wherein 
did  he  find  sustenance?"  Harr  answered:  "Straightway 
after  the  rime  dripped,  there  sprang  from  it  the  cow  called 
Audumla;  four  streams  of  milk  ran  from  her  udders,  and 
she  nourished  Ymir."  Then  asked  Gangleri:  "Where- 
withal was  the  cow  nourished?"  And  Harr  made  answer: 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  19 

"She  licked  the  ice-blocks,  which  were  salty;  and  the  first 
day  that  she  licked  the  blocks,  there  came  forth  from  the 
blocks  in  the  evening  a  man's  hair;  the  second  day,  a  man's 
head;  the  third  day  the  whole  man  was  there.  He  is  named 
Buri:  he  was  fair  of  feature,  great  and  mighty.  He  begat 
a  son  called  Borr,  who  wedded  the  woman  named  Bestla, 
daughter  of  Bolthorn  the  giant;  and  they  had  three  sons: 
one  was  Odin,  the  second  Vili,  the  third  Ve.  And  this  is 
my  belief,  that  he,  Odin,  with  his  brothers,  must  be  ruler 
of  heaven  and  earth;  we  hold  that  he  must  be  so  called;  so 
is  that  man  called  whom  we  know  to  be  mightiest  and  most 
worthy  of  honor,  and  ye  do  well  to  let  him  be  so  called." 

VII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  covenant  was  between 
them,  or  which  was  the  stronger?"  And  Harr  answered: 
"The  sons  of  Borr  slew  Ymir  the  giant;  lo,  where  he  fell 
there  gushed  forth  so  much  blood  out  of  his  wounds  that 
with  it  they  drowned  all  the  race  of  the  Rime-Giants,  save 
that  one,  whom  giants  call  Bergelmir,  escaped  with  his 
household;  he  went  upon  his  ship,*  and  his  wife  with  him, 
and  they  were  safe  there.  And  from  them  are  come  the 
races  of  the  Rime-Giants,  as  is  said  here : 

Untold  ages         ere  earth  was  shapen. 

Then  was  Bergelmir  born; 
That  first  I  recall,        how  the  famous  wise  giant 

On  the  deck  of  the  ship  was  laid  down." 

VIII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  was  done  then  by 
Borr's  sons,  if  thou  believe  that  they  be  gods  ? "  Harr  re- 
plied: "In  this  matter  there  is  no  little  to  be  said.  They  took 

'  Literally,  mill-bench  or  mortar. 


20  PROSE  EDDA 

Ymir  and  bore  him  into  the  middle  of  the  Yawning  Void, 
and  made  of  him  the  earth :  of  his  blood  the  sea  and  the 
waters;  the  land  was  made  of  his  flesh,  and  the  crags  of 
his  bones;  gravel  and  stones  they  fashioned  from  his  teeth 
and  his  grinders  and  from  those  bones  that  were  broken." 
And  Jafnharr  said:  "Of  the  blood,  which  ran  and  welled 
forth  freely  out  of  his  wounds,  they  made  the  sea,  when 
they  had  formed  and  made  firm  the  earth  together,  and  laid 
the  sea  in  a  ring  round  about  her;  and  it  may  well  seem  a 
hard  thing  to  most  men  to  cross  over  it."  Then  said  Thridi: 
"They  took  his  skull  also,  and  made  of  it  the  heaven,  and 
set  it  up  over  the  earth  with  four  corners;  and  under  each 
corner  they  set  a  dwarf:  the  names  of  these  are  East,  West, 
North,  and  South.  Then  they  took  the  glowing  embers  and 
sparks  that  burst  forth  and  had  been  cast  out  of  Muspell- 
heim,  and  set  them  in  the  midst  of  the  Yawning  Void,  in 
the  heaven,  both  above  and  below,  to  illumine  heaven  and 
earth.  They  assigned  places  to  all  fires:  to  some  in  heaven; 
some  wandered  free  under  the  heavens;  nevertheless,  to 
these  also  they  gave  a  place,  and  shaped  them  courses.  It 
is  said  in  old  songs,  that  from  these  the  days  were  reck- 
oned, and  the  tale  of  years  told,  as  is  said  in  Voluspa: 

The  sun  knew  not         where  she  had  housing; 
The  moon  knew  not         what  might  he  had; 
The  stars  knew  not        where  stood  their  places. 
Thus  was  it  ere        the  earth  was  fashioned." 

Then  said  Gangleri:  "These  are  great  tidings  which  I  now 
hear;  that  is  a  wondrous  great  piece  of  craftsmanship,  and 
cunningly  made.  How  was  the  earth  contrived?"  And  Harr 
answered:  "She  is  ring-shaped  without,  and  round  about 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  21 

her  without  lieth  the  deep  sea;  and  along  the  strand  of  that 
sea  they  gave  lands  to  the  races  of  giants  for  habitation. 
But  on  the  inner  earth  they  made  a  citadel  round  about  the 
world  against  the  hostility  of  the  giants,  and  for  their  cita- 
del they  raised  up  the  brows  of  Ymir  the  giant,  and  called 
that  place  Midgard.  They  took  also  his  brain  and  cast  it  in 
the  air,  and  made  from  it  the  clouds,  as  is  here  said: 

Of  Ymir's  flesh         the  earth  was  fashioned. 

And  of  his  sweat  the  sea; 
Crags  of  his  bones,         trees  of  his  hair. 

And  of  his  skull  the  sky. 
Then  of  his  brows         the  blithe  gods  made 

Midgard  for  sons  of  men; 
And  of  his  brain         the  bitter-mooded 

Clouds  were  all  created." 

IX.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Much  indeed  they  had  accom- 
plished then,  methinks,  when  earth  and  heaven  were  made, 
and  the  sun  and  the  constellations  of  heaven  were  fixed, 
and  division  was  made  of  days;  now  whence  come  the  men 
that  people  the  world?"  And  Harr  answered:  "When  the 
sons  of  Borr  were  walking  along  the  sea-strand,  they  found 
two  trees,  and  took  up  the  trees  and  shaped  men  of  them : 
the  first  gave  them  spirit  and  life;  the  second,  wit  and  feel- 
ing; the  third,  form,  speech,  hearing,  and  sight.  They  gave 
them  clothing  and  names:  the  male  was  called  Askr,  and 
the  female  Embla,  and  of  them  was  mankind  begotten, 
which  received  a  dwelling-place  under  Midgard.  Next  they 
made  for  themselves  in  the  middle  of  the  world  a  city  which 
is  called  Asgard;  men  call  it  Troy.  There  dwelt  the  gods 
and  their  kindred;  and  many  tidings  and  tales  of  it  have 


22  PROSE  EDDA 

come  to  pass  both  on  earth  and  aloft.  There  is  one  abode 
called  Hlidskjalf,  and  when  Allfather  sat  in  the  high-seat 
there,  he  looked  out  over  the  whole  world  and  saw  every 
man's  acts,  and  knew  all  things  which  he  saw.  His  wife 
was  called  Frigg  daughter  of  Fjorgvinn;  and  of  their  blood 
is  come  that  kindred  which  we  call  the  races  of  the  iEsir, 
that  have  peopled  the  Elder  Asgard,  and  those  kingdoms 
which  pertain  to  it;  and  that  is  a  divine  race.  For  this  rea- 
son must  he  be  called  Allfather:  because  he  is  father  of  all 
the  gods  and  of  men,  and  of  all  that  was  fulfilled  of  him 
and  of  his  might.  The  Earth  was  his  daughter  and  his  wife; 
on  her  he  begot  the  first  son,  which  is  Asa-Thor :  strength 
and  prowess  attend  him,  wherewith  he  overcometh  all 
living  things. 

X.  "Norfi  or  Narfi  is  the  name  of  a  giant  that  dwelt  in  Jo- 
tunheim :  he  had  a  daughter  called  Night;  she  was  swarthy 
and  dark,  as  befitted  her  race.  She  was  given  to  the  man 
named  Naglfari ;  their  son  was  Audr.  Afterward  she  was 
wedded  to  him  that  was  called  Annarr;  Jord^  was  their 
daughter.  Last  of  all  Dayspring  had  her,  and  he  was  of  the 
race  of  the  ^sir;  their  son  was  Day:  he  was  radiant  and 
fair  after  his  father.  Then  Allfather  took  Night,  and  Day 
her  son,  and  gave  to  them  two  horses  and  two  chariots, 
and  sent  them  up  into  the  heavens,  to  ride  round  about  the 
earth  every  two  half-days.  Night  rides  before  with  the  horse 
named  Frosty-Mane,  and  on  each  morning  he  bedews  the 
earth  with  the  foam  from  his  bit.  The  horse  that  Day  has 
is  called  Sheen-Mane,  and  he  illumines  all  the  air  and  the 
earth  from  his  mane." 

'  Earth. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  23 

XI.  Then  said  Gangleri :  "  How  does  he  govern  the  course 
of  the  sun  or  of  the  moon?"  Harr  answered:  "A  certain 
man  was  named  Mundilfari,  who  had  two  children;  they 
were  so  fair  and  comely  that  he  called  his  son  Moon,  and 
his  daughter  Sun,  and  wedded  her  to  the  man  called  Glenr. 
But  the  gods  were  incensed  at  that  insolence,  and  took  the 
brother  and  sister,  and  set  them  up  in  the  heavens;  they 
caused  Sun  to  drive  those  horses  that  drew  the  chariot  of 
the  sun,  which  the  gods  had  fashioned,  for  the  world's  illu- 
mination, from  that  glowing  stuff  which  flew  out  of  Miis- 
pellheim.  Those  horses  are  called  thus:  Early- Wake  and 
All-Strong;  and  under  the  shoulders  of  the  horses  the  gods 
set  two  wind-bags  to  cool  them,  but  in  some  records  that 
is  called  'iron-coolness.'  Moon  steers  the  course  of  the 
moon, and  determines  its  waxing  and  waning.  He  took  from 
the  earth  two  children, called  Bil  and  Hjuki,  they  that  went 
from  the  well  called  Byrgir,  bearing  on  their  shoulders  the 
cask  called  Saegr,  and  the  pole  Simul.  Their  father  is  named 
Vidfinnr.  These  children  follow  Moon,  as  may  be  seen 
from  the  earth." 

XII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "The  sun  fares  swiftly,  and 
almost  as  if  she  were  afraid :  she  could  not  hasten  her  course 
any  the  more  if  she  feared  her  destruction."  Then  Harr 
made  answer:  "It  is  no  marvel  that  she  hastens  furiously: 
close  Cometh  he  that  seeks  her,  and  she  has  no  escape  save 
to  run  away."  Then  said  Gangleri :  "  Who  is  he  that  causes 
her  this  disquiet?"  Harr  replied:  "It  is  two  wolves;  and 
he  that  runs  after  her  is  called  Skoll;  she  fears  him,  and  he 
shall  take  her.  But  he  that  leaps  before  her  is  called  Hati 
Hrodvitnisson.  He  is  eager  to  seize  the  moon;  and  so  it 
must  be."  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  is  the  race  of  the 


24  PROSE  EDDA 

wolves?"  Harr  answered:  "A  witch  dwells  to  the  east  of 
Midgard,  in  the  forest  called  Ironwood :  in  that  wood  dwell 
the  troll-women,  who  are  known  as  Ironwood-Women. 
The  old  witch  bears  many  giants  for  sons,  and  all  in  the 
shape  of  wolves;  and  from  this  source  are  these  wolves 
sprung.  The  saying  runs  thus:  from  this  race  shall  come 
one  that  shall  be  mightiest  of  all,  he  that  is  named  Moon- 
Hound;  he  shall  be  filled  with  the  flesh  of  all  those  men 
that  die,  and  he  shall  swallow  the  moon,  and  sprinkle  with 
blood  the  heavens  and  all  the  air;  thereof  shall  the  sun 
lose  her  shining,  and  the  winds  in  that  day  shall  be  unquiet 
and  roar  on  every  side.  So  it  says  in  Voluspa: 

Eastward  dwells  the  Old  One         in  Ironwood, 
And  there  gives  birth        to  Fenrir's  brethren; 
There  shall  spring  of  them  all         a  certain  one, 
The  moon's  taker         in  troll's  likeness. 

He  is  filled  with  flesh  of  fey  men. 

Reddens  the  gods'  seats  with  ruddy  blood-gouts; 

Swart  becomes  sunshine  in  summers  after. 

The  weather  all  shifty.  Wit  ye  yet,  or  what?" 

Xni.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  is  the  way  to  heaven 
from  earth?"  Then  Harr  answered,  and  laughed  aloud: 
"Now,  that  is  not  wisely  asked;  has  it  not  been  told  thee, 
that  the  gods  made  a  bridge  from  earth  to  heaven,  called 
Bifrost?  Thou  must  have  seen  it;  it  may  be  that  ye  call 
it  'rainbow.'  It  is  of  three  colors,  and  very  strong,  and 
made  with  cunning  and  with  more  magic  art  than  other 
works  of  craftsmanship.  But  strong  as  it  is,  yet  must  it  be 
broken,  when  the  sons  of  Miispell  shall  go  forth  harrying 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  25 

and  ride  it,  and  swim  their  horses  over  great  rivers;  thus 
they  shall  proceed."  Then  said  Gangleri:  "To  my  think- 
ing the  gods  did  not  build  the  bridge  honestly,  seeing  that  it 
could  be  broken,  and  they  able  to  make  it  as  they  would." 
Then  Harr  replied  :  "  Thegods  are  not  deserving  of  reproof 
because  of  this  work  of  skill:  a  good  bridge  is  Bifrost,  but 
nothing  in  this  world  is  of  such  nature  that  it  may  be  relied 
on  when  the  sons  of  Miispell  go  a-harrying." 

XIV.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  did  Allfather  then  do 
when  Asgard  was  made?"  Harr  answered:  "In  the  be- 
ginning he  established  rulers,  and  bade  them  ordain  fates 
with  him,  and  give  counsel  concerning  the  planning  of 
the  town;  that  was  in  the  place  which  is  called  Ida-field,  in 
the  midst  of  the  town.  It  was  their  first  work  to  make  that 
court  in  which  their  twelve  seats  stand,  and  another,  the 
high-seat  which  Allfather  himself  has.  That  house  is  the 
best-made  of  any  on  earth,  and  the  greatest;  without  and 
within,  it  is  all  like  one  piece  of  gold;  men  call  it  Glads- 
heim.  They  made  also  a  second  hall :  that  was  a  shrine 
which  the  goddesses  had,  and  it  was  a  very  fair  house;  men 
call  it  Vingolf.  Next  they  fashioned  a  house,  wherein  they 
placed  a  forge,  and  made  besides  a  hammer,  tongs,  and 
anvil,  and  by  means  of  these,  all  other  tools.  After  this  they 
smithied  metal  and  stone  and  wood,  and  wrought  so  abun- 
dantly that  metal  which  is  called  gold, that  they  had  all  their 
household  ware  and  all  dishes  of  gold;  and  that  time  is 
called  the  Age  of  Gold,  before  it  was  spoiled  by  the  com- 
ing of  the  Women,  even  those  who  came  out  of  Jotunheim. 
Next  after  this,  the  gods  enthroned  themselves  in  their 
seats  and  held  judgment,  and  called  to  mind  whence  the 
dwarves  had  quickened  in  the  mould  and  underneath  in  the 


26  PROSE  EDDA 

earth,  even  as  do  maggots  in  flesh.  The  dwarves  had  first 
received  shape  and  life  in  the  flesh  of  Ymir,  and  were  then 
maggots;  but  by  decree  of  the  gods  had  become  conscious 
with  the  intelligence  of  men,  and  had  human  shape.  And 
nevertheless  they  dwell  in  the  earth  and  in  stones.  Mod- 
sognir  was  the  first,  and  Durinn  the  second;  so  it  says  in 
Voluspa, 

Then  strode  all  the  mighty         to  the  seats  of  judgment. 

The  gods  most  holy,        and  together  held  counsel. 

Who  should  of  dwarves         shape  the  peoples 

From  the  bloody  surge'        and  the  Blue  One's  bones. 

They  made  many         in  man's  likeness. 

Dwarves  in  the  earth,        as  Durinn  said. 

And  these,  says  the  Sibyl,  are  their  names: 

Nyi  and  Nidi,         Nordri  and  Sudri, 

Austri,  Vestri,         Althjofr,  Dvalinn; 

Nar,  Nainn,         Nipingr,  Dainn, 

Bifurr,  Bafurr,         Bomburr,  Nori, 

Ori,Onarr,         Oinn,  Mjodvitnir, 

Viggr  and  Gandalfr,         Vindalfr,  Thorinn, 

Fili,  Kili,         Fundinn,  Vali; 

Thror,  Throinn,        Thekkr,  Litr  and  Vitr, 

Nyr,  Nyradr,         Rekkr,  Radsvidr. 

And  these  also  are  dwarves  and  dwell  in  stones,  but  the 
first  in  mould: 

Draupnir,  Dolgthvari, 

Horr,  Hugstari,         Hledjolfr,  Gloinn; 

Dori,  Ori,         Dufr,  Andvari, 

Heptifili,        Harr,  Sviarr. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  27 

And  these  proceed  from  Svarinshaugr  to  Aurvangar  on 
Joruplain,  and  thence  is  Lovarr  come;  these  are  their 
names : 

Skirfir,  Virfir  Skafidr,  Ai, 
Alfr,  Yngvi,  Eikinskjaldi, 
Fair,  Frosti,         Fidr,  Ginnarr." 

XV.  Then  said  Gangleri :  "  Where  is  the  chief  abode  or 
holy  place  of  the  gods?''  Harr  answered:  "That  is  at  the 
Ash  of  Yggdrasill;  there  the  gods  must  give  judgment 
every  day."  Then  Gangleri  asked : "  What  is  to  be  said  con- 
cerning that  place?"  Then  said  Jafnharr:  "The  Ash  is 
greatest  of  all  trees  and  best :  its  limbs  spread  out  over  all 
the  world  and  stand  above  heaven.  Three  roots  of  the  tree 
uphold  it  and  stand  exceeding  broad:  one  is  among  the 
iEsir;  another  among  the  Rime-Giants, in  that  place  where 
aforetime  was  the  Yawning  Void;  the  third  stands  over 
Niflheim,  and  under  that  root  is  Hvergelmir,  and  Nidhoggr 
gnaws  the  root  from  below.  But  under  that  root  which 
turns  toward  the  Rime-Giants  is  Mimir's  Well,  wherein 
wisdom  and  understanding  are  stored;  and  he  is  called 
Mimir,  who  keeps  the  well.  He  is  full  of  ancient  lore,  since 
he  drinks  of  the  well  from  the  Gjallar-Horn.  Thither  came 
Allfather  and  craved  one  drink  of  the  well;  but  he  got  it 
not  until  he  had  laid  his  eye  in  pledge.  So  says  Voluspa: 

All  know  I,  Odin,        where  the  eye  thou  hiddest, 
In  the  wide-renowned         well  of  Mimir; 
Mimir  drinks  mead         every  morning 
From  Valfather's  wage.         Wit  ye  yet,  or  what? 

The  third  root  of  the  Ash  stands  in  heaven;  and  under 


28  PROSE  EDDA 

that  root  is  the  well  which  is  very  holy,  that  is  called  the 
Well  of  Urdr;  there  the  gods  hold  their  tribunal.  Each  day 
the  iEsir  ride  thither  up  over  Bifrost,  which  is  also  called 
the  iEsir's  Bridge.  These  are  the  names  of  the  ^sir's 
steeds :  Sleipnir  ^  is  best,  which  Odin  has ;  he  has  eight  feet. 
The  second  is  Gladr,^  the  third  Gyllir,^the  fourth  Glenr,^ 
the  fifth  Skeldbrimir,^  the  sixth  Silfrintoppr,^  the  seventh 
Sinir,''  the  eighth  Gisl,^  the  ninth  Falhofnir,^  the  tenth 
Gulltoppr,^°the  eleventh  Lettfeti."  Baldr's  horse  was  burnt 
with  him;  and  Thor  walks  to  the  judgment,  and  wades 
those  rivers  which  are  called  thus: 

Kormt  and  Ormt         and  the  Kerlaugs  twain, 

Them  shall  Thor  wade 
Every  day         when  he  goes  to  doom 

At  Ash  Yggdrasill; 
For  the  ^sir's  Bridge         burns  all  with  flame. 

And  the  holy  waters  howl." 

Then  said  Gangleri:  "  Does  fire  burn  over  Bifrost?"  Harr 
replied:  "That  which  thou  seest  to  be  red  in  the  bow  is 
burning  fire;  the  Hill-Giants  might  go  up  to  heaven,  if  pas- 
sage on  Bifrost  were  open  to  all  those  who  would  cross. 
There  are  many  fair  places  in  heaven,  and  over  everything 
there  a  godlike  watch  is  kept.  A  hall  stands  there,  fair, 
under  the  ash  by  the  well,  and  out  of  that  hall  come  three 
maids,  who  are  called  thus :  Urdr,'^Verdandi,'^Skuld;'^  these 
maids  determine  the  period  of  men's  lives:  we  call  them 

'  The  Slipper.  ^  Bright  or  Glad.  3  Golden.  ^  The  Starer. 

5  Fleet  Courser.  ^  Silver-top.  ^  Sinewy.  ^  Beam,  Ray. 

9  Hairy-hoof.  ^°  Gold-top.  "  Li^ht-stepper.  ^^  p^^^ 

^^  Present.  ^^  Future. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  29 

Norns;  but  there  are  many  norns:  those  who  come  to  each 
child  that  is  born,  to  appoint  his  life;  these  are  of  the  race 
of  the  gods,  but  the  second  are  of  the  Elf-people,  and  the 
third  are  of  the  kindred  of  the  dwarves,  as  it  is  said  here: 

Most  sundered  in  birth         I  say  the  Norns  are; 

They  claim  no  common  kin : 
Some  are  of  iEsir-kin,         some  are  of  Elf-kind, 

Some  are  Dvalinn's  daughters." 

Then  said  Gangleri:  "If  the  Norns  determine  the  weirds 
of  men,  then  they  apportion  exceeding  unevenly,  seeing 
that  some  have  a  pleasant  and  luxurious  life,  but  others 
have  little  worldly  goods  or  fame;  some  have  long  life, 
others  short."  Harr  said:  "Good  norns  and  of  honorable 
race  appoint  good  life;  but  those  men  that  sufFer  evil  for- 
tunes are  governed  by  evil  norns." 

XVI.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  more  mighty  wonders 
are  to  be  told  of  the  Ash?"  Harr  replied:  "Much  is  to  be 
told  of  it.  An  eagle  sits  in  the  limbs  of  the  Ash,  and  he 
has  understanding  of  many  a  thing;  and  between  his  eyes 
sits  the  hawk  that  is  called  Vedrfolnir.  The  squirrel  called 
Ratatoskr  runs  up  and  down  the  length  of  the  Ash,  bear- 
ing envious  words  between  the  eagle  and  Nidhoggr;  and 
four  harts  run  in  the  limbs  of  the  Ash  and  bite  the  leaves. 
They  are  called  thus:  Dainn,  Dvalinn,  Duneyrr,  Dura- 
thror.  Moreover,  so  many  serpents  are  in  Hvergelmir  with 
Nidhoggr,  that  no  tongue  can  tell  them,  as  is  here  said: 

Ash  Yggdrasill         suffers  anguish. 
More  than  men  know  of: 


30  PROSE  EDDA 

The  stag  bites  above;         on  the  side  it  rotteth, 
And  Nidhoggr  gnaws  from  below. 

And  it  is  further  said: 

More  serpents  lie         under  Yggdrasill's  stock 
Than  every  unwise  ape  can  think: 

Goinn  and  Moinn  (they  're  Grafvitnir's  sons), 

Grabakr  and  Grafvolludr; 

Ofnir  and  Svafnir         I  think  shall  aye 
Tear  the  trunk's  twigs. 

It  is  further  said  that  these  Norns  who  dwell  by  the  Well 
of  Urdr  take  water  of  the  well  every  day,  and  with  it  that 
clay  which  lies  about  the  well,  and  sprinkle  it  over  the 
Ash,  to  the  end  that  its  limbs  shall  not  wither  nor  rot;  for 
that  water  is  so  holy  that  all  things  which  come  there  into 
the  well  become  as  white  as  the  film  which  lies  within  the 
egg-shell, — as  is  here  said: 

I  know  an  Ash  standing         called  Yggdrasill, 
A  high  tree  sprinkled         with  snow-white  clay; 
Thence  come  the  dews         in  the  dale  that  fall  — 
It  stands  ever  green         above  Urdr's  Well. 

That  dew  which  falls  from  it  onto  the  earth  is  called  by  men 
honey-dew,  and  thereon  are  bees  nourished.  Two  fowls 
are  fed  in  Urdr's  Well:  they  are  called  Swans,  and  from 
those  fowls  has  come  the  race  of  birds  which  is  so  called." 

XVII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Thou  knowest  many  tidings 
to  tell  of  the  heaven.  What  chief  abodes  are  there  more 
than  at  Urdr's  Well?"  Harr  said:  "Many  places  are  there, 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  31 

and  glorious.  That  which  is  called  Alfheimr'  is  one,  where 
dwell  the  peoples  called  Light-Elves;  but  the  Dark-Elves 
dwell  down  in  the  earth,  and  they  are  unlike  in  appearance, 
but  by  far  more  unlike  in  nature. The  Light-Elves  are  fairer 
to  look  upon  than  the  sun,  but  the  Dark-Elves  are  blacker 
than  pitch.  Then  there  is  also  in  that  place  the  abode  called 
Breidablik,"^  and  there  is  not  in  heaven  a  fairer  dwelling. 
There,  too,  is  the  one  called  Glitnir,^  whose  walls,  and  all 
its  posts  and  pillars,  are  of  red  gold,  but  its  roof  of  silver. 
There  is  also  the  abode  called  Himinbjorg;*  it  stands  at 
heaven's  end  by  the  bridge-head,  in  the  place  where  Bifrost 
joins  heaven.  Another  great  abode  is  there,  which  is  named 
Valaskjalf;^  Odin  possesses  that  dwelling;  the  gods  made 
it  and  thatched  it  with  sheer  silver,  and  in  this  hall  is  the 
Hlidskjalf,^  the  high-seat  so  called.  Whenever  AUfather 
sits  in  that  seat,  he  surveys  all  lands.  At  the  southern  end 
of  heaven  is  that  hall  which  is  fairest  of  all,  and  brighter 
than  the  sun;  it  is  called  Gimle.^  It  shall  stand  when  both 
heaven  and  earth  have  departed;  and  good  men  and  of 
righteous  conversation  shall  dwell  therein:  so  it  is  said  in 
Voluspa : 

A  hall  I  know  standing        than  the  sun  fairer. 
Thatched  with  gold         in  Gimle  bright; 
There  shall  dwell        the  doers  of  righteousness 
And  ever  and  ever        enjoy  delight." 

Then  said  Gangleri :  "  What  shall  guard  this  place,  when 
the  flame  of  Surtr  shall  consume  heaven  and  earth?"  Harr 

'  Elf-home.  *  Broad-gleaming.  3  Glittering. 

^  Heaven-crag.  ^  Seat  or  shelf  of  the  Fallep.  ^  Gate-seat. 

^  Either  dative  of  Himill  =  Heaven  (?)  (Cl.-Vig.),  or  Gem-decked  (Bugge). 


32  PROSE  EDDA 

answered:  ^^It  is  said  that  another  heaven  is  to  the  south- 
ward and  upward  of  this  one,  and  it  is  called  Andlangr;^ 
but  the  third  heaven  is  yet  above  that,  and  it  is  called  Vid- 
blainn,''  and  in  that  heaven  we  think  this  abode  is.  But  we 
believe  that  none  but  Light-Elves  inhabit  these  mansions 


now." 


XVIII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Whence  comes  the  wind? 
It  is  strong,  so  that  it  stirs  great  seas,  and  it  swells  fire; 
but,  strong  as  it  is,  none  may  see  it,  for  it  is  wonderfully 
shapen."  Then  said  Harr:  "That  I  am  well  able  to  tell 
thee.  At  the  northward  end  of  heaven  sits  the  giant  called 
Hraesvelgr:  he  has  the  plumes  of  an  eagle,  and  when  he 
stretches  his  wings  for  flight,  then  the  wind  rises  from 
under  his  wings,  as  is  here  said: 

Hraesvelgr  hight  he         who  sits  at  heaven's  ending, 

Giant  in  eagle's  coat; 
From  his  wings,  they  say,         the  wind  cometh 

All  men-folk  over." 

XIX.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Why  is  there  so  much  differ- 
ence, that  summer  should  be  hot,  but  winter  cold?"  Harr 
answered:  "A  wise  man  would  not  ask  thus,  seeing  that 
all  are  able  to  tell  this;  but  if  thou  alone  art  become  so 
slight  of  understanding  as  not  to  have  heard  it,  then  I  will 
yet  permit  that  thou  shouldst  rather  ask  foolishly  once, 
than  that  thou  shouldst  be  kept  longer  in  ignorance  of  a 
thing  which  it  is  proper  to  know.  He  is  called  Svasudr^  who 
is  father  of  Summer;  and  he  is  of  pleasant  nature,  so  that 
from  his  name  whatsoever  is  pleasant  is  called  'sweet.' 

'  Wide-reaching,  extensive.  ^  Wide-blue.  ^  Delightful. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  33 

But  the  father  of  Winter  is  variously  called  Vindljoni'  or 
Vindsvalr;^  he  is  the  son  of  Vasadr;^  and  these  were  kins- 
men grim  and  chilly-breasted,  and  Winter  has  their  tem- 
per." 

XX.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Who  are  the  ^sir,  they  in 
whom  it  behoves  men  to  believe?"  Harr  answered:  "The 
divine  iEsir  are  twelve."  Then  said  Jafnharr:  "Not  less 
holy  are  the  Asynjur,  the  goddesses,  and  they  are  of  no 
less  authority."  Then  said  Thridi:  "Odin  is  highest  and 
eldest  of  the  iEsir:  he  rules  all  things,  and  mighty  as 
are  the  other  gods,  they  all  serve  him  as  children  obey  a 
father.  Frigg  is  his  wife,  and  she  knows  all  the  fates  of 
men,  though  she  speaks  no  prophecy, — as  is  said  here, 
when  Odin  himself  spake  with  him  of  the  ^sir  whom  men 
call  Loki: 

Thou  art  mad  now,  Loki,        and  reft  of  mind, — 
Why,  Loki,  leav'st  thou  not  ofF? 

Frigg,  methinks,         is  wise  in  all  fates. 
Though  herself  say  them  not! 

Odin  is  called  Allfather  because  he  is  father  of  all  the 
gods.  He  is  also  called  Father  of  the  Slain,  because  all 
those  that  fall  in  battle  are  the  sons  of  his  adoption;  for 
them  he  appoints  Valhall'^and  Vingolf,^  and  they  are  then 
called  Champions.  He  is  also  called  God  of  the  Hanged, 
God  of  Gods,  God  of  Cargoes ;  and  he  has  also  been  named 
in  many  more  ways,  after  he  had  come  to  King  Geirrodr: 

'  Wind-brlnger?  (Simrock).  ^  Wind-chill. 

3  Wet  and  sleety  (Cl.-Vig.).  -♦  Hall  of  the  Slain. 

5  Friendly  Floor. 


34  PROSE  EDDA 

We  were  called  Grimr        and  Gangleri, 

Herjann,  Hjalmberi; 
Thekkr,  Thridi,        Thudr,  Udr, 

Helblindi,  Harr. 

Sadr,  Svipall,         Sann-getall, 

Herteitr,  Hnikarr; 
Bileygr,  Baleygr,         Bolverkr,  Fjolnir, 

Gnmnir,  Glapsvidr,  Fjolsvidr. 

Sidhottr,  Sidskeggr,         Sigfodr,  Hnikudr, 

Alfodr,  Atridr,  Farmatyr; 
Oski,  Omi,         Jafnharr,  Biflindi, 

Gondlir,  Harbardr. 

Svidurr,  Svidrir,         Jalkr,  Kjalarr,  Vidurr, 

Thror,  Yggr,  Thundr; 
Vakr,  Skilfingr,         Vafudr,  Hroptatyr, 

Gautr,  Veratyr." 

Then  said  Gangleri :  "  Exceeding  many  names  have  ye 
given  him ;  and,  by  my  faith,  it  must  indeed  be  a  goodly  wit 
that  knows  all  the  lore  and  the  examples  of  what  chances 
have  brought  about  each  of  these  names."  Then  Harr  made 
answer:  "It  is  truly  a  vast  sum  of  knowledge  to  gather* 
together  and  set  forth  fittingly.  But  it  is  briefest  to  tell  thee 
that  most  of  his  names  have  been  given  him  by  reason  of 
this  chance:  there  being  so  many  branches  of  tongues  in 
the  world,  all  peoples  believed  that  it  was  needful  for  them 
to  turn  his  name  into  their  own  tongue,  by  which  they 
might  the  better  invoke  him  and  entreat  him  on  their  own 

^  Literally,  to  rake  into  rows. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  35 

behalf.  But  some  occasions  for  these  names  arose  in  his 
wanderings ;  and  that  matter  is  recorded  in  tales.  Nor  canst 
thou  ever  be  called  a  wise  man  if  thou  shalt  not  be  able 
to  tell  of  those  great  events." 

XXI.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  are  the  names  of  the 
other  ^sir,  or  what  is  their  office,  or  what  deeds  of  renown 
have  they  done?"  Harr  answered:  "Thor  is  the  foremost 
of  them,  he  that  is  called  Thor  of  the  iEsir,  or  Oku-Thor ; 
he  is  strongest  of  all  the  gods  and  men.  He  has  his  realm  in 
the  place  called  Thrudvangar,^and  his  hall  is  called  Bilskir- 
nir;^  in  that  hall  are  five  hundred  rooms  and  forty.  That 
is  the  greatest  house  that  men  know  of;  it  is  thus  said  in 
Grimnismal: 

Five  hundred  floors         and  more  than  forty, 

So  reckon  I  Bilskirnir  with  bending  ways; 

Of  those  houses         that  I  know  of  hall-roofed, 
My  son's  I  know  the  most. 

Thor  has  two  he-goats,  that  are  called  Tooth-Gnasher  and 
Tooth-Gritter,and  a  chariot  wherein  he  drives,  and  the  he- 
goats  draw  the  chariot;  therefore  is  he  called  Oku-Thor.^ 
He  has  also  three  things  of  great  price:  one  is  the  ham- 
mer Mjollnir,  which  the  Rime-Giants  and  the  Hill-Giants 
know,  when  it  is  raised  on  high;  and  that  is  no  wonder, — 
it  has  bruised  many  a  skull  among  their  fathers  or  their 
kinsmen.  He  has  a  second  costly  thing,  best  of  all:  the 

'  Plains  of  strength.  2  prom  the  flashing  of  light  (Cl.-Vig.). 

'According  to  Cleasby-Vigfusson,  a  popular  etymology.  *' C>>^«  is  not  to  be 
derived  from  aka  (to  drive),  but  is  rather  of  Finnish  origin,  Ukko  being  the 
Thunder-god  of  the  Chudic  tribes."  Jonsson,  however,  allows  Snorri's  etymol- 
ogy to  stand. 


36  PROSE  EDDA 

girdle  of  might;  and  when  he  clasps  it  about  him,  then  the 
godlike  strength  within  him  is  increased  by  half.  Yet  a 
third  thing  he  has, in  which  there  is  much  virtue:  his  iron 
gloves;  he  cannot  do  without  them  when  he  uses  his  ham- 
mer-shaft. But  no  one  is  so  wise  that  he  can  tell  all  his 
mighty  works;  yet  I  can  tell  thee  so  much  tidings  of  him 
that  the  hours  would  be  spent  before  all  that  I  know  were 
told." 

XXII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "I  would  ask  tidings  of  more 
^Esir."  Harr  replied:  "The  second  son  of  Odin  is  Baldr, 
and  good  things  are  to  be  said  of  him.  He  is  best,  and  all 
praise  him;  he  is  so  fair  of  feature,  and  so  bright,  that  light 
shines  from  him.  A  certain  herb  is  so  white  that  it  is  likened 
to  Baldr's  brow;  of  all  grasses  it  is  whitest,  and  by  it  thou 
mayest  judge  his  fairness,  both  in  hair  and  in  body.  He  is 
the  wisest  of  the  ^Esir,  and  the  fairest-spoken  and  most 
gracious;  and  that  quality  attends  him,  that  none  may  gain- 
say his  judgments.  He  dwells  in  the  place  called  Breida- 
blik,^  which  is  in  heaven ;  in  that  place  may  nothing  un- 
clean be,  even  as  is  said  here: 

Breidablik  't  is  called,         where  Baldr  has 

A  hall  made  for  himself: 
In  that  land         where  I  know  lie 

Fewest  baneful  runes. 

XXIII.  "The  third  among  the  ^sir  is  he  that  is  called 
Njordr:  he  dwells  in  heaven,  in  the  abode  called  Noatiin. 
He  rules  the  course  of  the  wind,  and  stills  sea  and  fire;  on 
him  shall  men  call  for  voyages  and  for  hunting.  He  is  so 

^  Broad-gleaming. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  37 

prosperous  and  abounding  in  wealth, that  he  may  give  them 
great  plenty  of  lands  or  of  gear;  and  him  shall  men  invoke 
for  such  things.  Njordr  is  not  of  the  race  of  the  JEslv:  he 
was  reared  in  the  land  of  the  Vanir,  but  the  Vanir  delivered 
him  as  hostage  to  the  gods,  and  took  for  hostage  in  ex- 
change him  that  men  call  Hoenir;  he  became  an  atonement 
between  the  gods  and  the  Vanir.  Njordr  has  to  wife  the 
woman  called  Skadi,  daughter  of  Thjazi  the  giant.  Skadi 
would  fain  dwell  in  the  abode  which  her  father  had  had, 
which  is  on  certain  mountains,  in  the  place  called  Thrym- 
heimr;  but  Njordr  would  be  near  the  sea.  They  made  a 
compact  on  these  terms:  they  should  be  nine  nights  in 
Thrymheimr,  but  the  second  nine  at  Noatun.  But  when 
Njordr  came  down  from  the  mountain  back  to  Noatun,  he 
sang  this  lay: 

Loath  were  the  hills  to  me,         I  was  not  long  in  them, 

Nights  only  nine; 
To  me  the  wailing  of        wolves  seemed  ill, 

After  the  song  of  swans. 

Then  Skadi  sang  this: 

Sleep  could  I  never         on  the  sea-beds. 
For  the  wailing  of  waterfowl; 

He  wakens  me,         who  comes  from  the  deep  — 
The  sea-mew  every  morn. 

Then  Skadi  went  up  onto  the  mountain,  and  dwelt  in 
Thrymheimr.  And  she  goes  for  the  more  part  on  snow- 
shoes  and  with  a  bow  and  arrow,  and  shoots  beasts;  she  is 
called  Snowshoe-Goddess  or  Lady  of  the  Snowshoes.  So 
it  is  said: 


38  PROSE  EDDA 

Thrymheimr  't  is  called,         where  Thjazi  dwelt, 

He  the  hideous  giant; 
But  now  Skadi  abides,         pure  bride  of  the  gods, 

In  her  father's  ancient  freehold. 

XXIV.  "Njordr  in  Noatun  begot  afterward  two  children: 
the  son  was  called  Freyr,  and  the  daughter  Freyja;  they 
were  fair  of  face  and  mighty.  Freyr  is  the  most  renowned 
of  the  iEsir;  he  rules  over  the  rain  and  the  shining  of  the 
sun,  and  therewithal  the  fruit  of  the  earth;  and  it  is  good 
to  call  on  him  for  fruitful  seasons  and  peace.  He  governs 
also  the  prosperity  of  men.  But  Freyja  is  the  most  re- 
nowned of  the  goddesses;  she  has  in  heaven  the  dwelling 
called  Folkvangr,'  and  wheresoever  she  rides  to  the  strife, 
she  has  one-half  of  the  kill,  and  Odin  half,  as  is  here  said : 

Folkvangr  't  is  called,        where  Freyja  rules 

Degrees  of  seats  in  the  hall; 
Half  the  kill         she  keepeth  each  day, 

And  half  Odin  hath. 

Her  hall  Sessriimnir^  is  great  and  fair.  When  she  goes 
forth,  she  drives  her  cats  and  sits  in  a  chariot;  she  is  most 
conformable  to  man's  prayers,  and  from  her  name  comes 
the  name  of  honor,  Fru,  by  which  noblewomen  are  called. 
Songs  of  love  are  well-pleasing  to  her;  it  is  good  to  call 
on  her  for  furtherance  in  love." 


XXV.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Great  in  power  do  these 
iEsir  seem  to  me;  nor  is  it  a  marvel,  that  much  authority 
attends  you  who  are  said  to  possess  understanding  of  the 
gods,  and  know  which  one  men  should  call  on  for  what 

*  Folk-plain,  Host-plain.  ^  Seat-roomy. 


THE  BEGUILING  Of  GYLFI  39 

boon  soever.  Or  are  the  gods  yet  more?''  Harr  said :  "  Yet 
remains  that  one  of  the  ^sir  who  is  called  Tyr :  he  is  most 
daring,  and  best  in  stoutness  of  heart,  and  he  has  much 
authority  over  victory  in  battle;  it  is  good  for  men  of  valor 
to  invoke  him.  It  is  a  proverb,  that  he  is  Tyr-valiant,  who 
surpasses  other  men  and  does  not  waver.  He  is  wise,  so 
that  it  is  also  said,  that  he  that  is  wisest  is  Tyr-prudent. 
This  is  one  token  of  his  daring:  when  the  iEsir  enticed 
Fenris- Wolf  to  take  upon  him  the  fetter  Gleipnir,  the  wolf 
did  not  believe  them,  that  they  would  loose  him,  until  they 
laid  Tyr's  hand  into  his  mouth  as  a  pledge.  But  when  the 
iEsir  would  not  loose  him,  then  he  bit  off  the  hand  at  the 
place  now  called  '  the  wolf's  joint ; '  and  Tyr  is  one-handed, 
jjid  ifs  n^t  railed  a  reconciler  of  men. 

XXVI.  '^  One  is  called  Bragi:  he  is  renowned  for  wisdom, 
and  most  of  all  for  fluency  of  speech  and  skill  with  words. 
He  knows  most  of  skaldship,  and  after  him  skaldship  is 
called  hragr^  and  from  his  name  that  one  is  called  hragr- 
man  or  -woman,  who  possesses  eloquence  surpassing  oth- 
ers, of  women  or  of  men.  His  wife  is  Idunn :  she  guards  in 
her  chest  of  ash  those  apples  which  the  gods  must  taste 
whensoever  they  grow  old;  and  then  they  all  become  young, 
and  so  it  shall  be  even  unto  the  Weird  of  the  Gods."  Then 
said  Gangleri :  '^  A  very  great  thing,  methinks,  the  gods  en- 
trust to  the  watchfulness  and  good  faith  of  Idunn."  Then 
said  Harr,  laughing  loudly:  ^^'T  was  near  being  desperate 
once;  I  may  be  able  to  tell  thee  of  it,  but  now  thou  shalt 
first  hear  more  of  the  names  of  the  iEsir. 

'  Bragr^  as  a  noun,  means  "poetry;"  as  an  adjective,  it  seems  to  mean  "fore- 
most "  (Cl.-Vig.).  Thus  the  phrase  bragr  karla  seems  to  be  "foremost  of  men," 
with  apparent  reference  to  poetic  preeminence. 


40  PROSE  EDDA 

XXVII.  "Heimdallr  is  the  name  of  one:  he  is  called  the 
White  God.  He  is  great  and  holy;  nine  maids,  all  sis- 
ters, bore  him  for  a  son.  He  is  also  called  Hallinskidi  * 
and  Gullintanni;  ^  his  teeth  were  of  gold,  and  his  horse  is 
called  Gold-top.  He  dwells  in  the  place  called  Himinbjorg,^ 
hard  by  Bifrost :  he  is  the  warder  of  the  gods,  and  sits  there 
by  heaven's  end  to  guard  the  bridge  from  the  Hill-Giants. 
He  needs  less  sleep  than  a  bird;  he  sees  equally  well  night 
and  day  a  hundred  leagues  from  him,  and  hears  how  grass 
grows  on  the  earth  or  wool  on  sheep,  and  everything  that 
has  a  louder  sound.  He  has  that  trumpet  which  is  called 
Gjallar-Horn,  and  its  blast  is  heard  throughout  all  worlds. 
Heimdallr's  sword  is  called  Head.  It  is  said  further: 

Himinbjorg  't  is  called,         where  Heimdallr,  they  say, 

Aye  has  his  housing; 
There  the  gods'  sentinel         drinks  in  his  snug  hall 

Gladly  good  mead. 

And  furthermore,  he  himself  says  in  Heimdalar-galdr: 

I  am  of  nine         mothers  the  offspring. 
Of  sisters  nine         am  I  the  son. 

XXVIII.  "One  of  the  ^sir  is  named  Hodr:  he  is  blind. 
He  is  of  sufficient  strength,  but  the  gods  would  desire  that 
no  occasion  should  rise  of  naming  this  god,  for  the  work  of 
his  hands  shall  long  be  held  in  memory  among  gods  and 
men. 

XXIX.  "  Vidarr  is  the  name  of  one,  the  silent  god.  He  has 

'  Ram  (Cl.-Vig.).  ^  Golden-teeth.  ^  Heaven-fells. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  41 

a  thick  shoe.  He  is  nearly  as  strong  as  Thor;  in  him  the 
gods  have  great  trust  in  all  struggles. 

XXX.  "One  is  called  Ali  or  Vali,  son  of  Odin  and  Rindr: 
he  is  daring  in  fights,  and  a  most  fortunate  marksman. 

XXXI.  "One  is  called  Ullr,  son  of  Sif,  step-son  of  Thor; 
he  is  so  excellent  a  bowman,  and  so  swift  on  snowshoes, 
that  none  may  contend  with  him.  He  is  also  fair  of  aspect 
and  has  the  accomplishments  of  a  warrior;  it  is  well  to  call 
on  him  in  single-combats. 

XXXII.  "Forseti  is  the  name  of  the  son  of  Baldr  and 
Nanna  daughter  of  Nep:  he  has  that  hall  in  heaven  which 
is  called  Glitnir.  All  that  come  to  him  with  such  quarrels 
as  arise  out  of  law-suits,  all  these  return  thence  reconciled. 
That  is  the  best  seat  of  judgment  among  gods  and  men; 
thus  it  is  said  here: 

A  hall  is  called  Glitnir,         with  gold  't  is  pillared, 
And  with  silver  thatched  the  same; 

There  Forseti  bides         the  full  day  through. 
And  puts  to  sleep  all  suits. 

XXXIII.  "Also  numbered  among  the  iEsir  is  he  whom 
some  call  the  mischief-monger  of  the  iEsir,  and  the  first 
father  of  falsehoods,  and  blemish  of  all  gods  and  men:  he 
is  named  Loki  or  Loptr,  son  of  Farbauti  the  giant;  his 
mother  was  Laufey  or  Nal;  his  brothers  are  Byleistr  and 
Helblindi.  Loki  is  beautiful  and  comely  to  look  upon,  evil 
in  spirit,  very  fickle  in  habit.  He  surpassed  other  men  in 
that  wisdom  which  is  called  '  sleight,'  and  had  artifices  for 


42  PROSE  EDDA 

all  occasions;  he  would  ever  bring  the  i^sir  into  great 
hardships,  and  then  get  them  out  with  crafty  counsel.  His 
wife  was  called  Sigyn,  their  son  Nari  or  Narfi. 

XXXIV.  "Yet  more  children  had  Loki.  Angrboda  was  the 
name  of  a  certain  giantess  in  Jotunheim,  with  whom  Loki 
gat  three  children :  one  was  Fenris-Wolf,  the  second  Jor- 
mungandr — that  is  the  Midgard  Serpent, — the  third  is 
Hel.  But  when  the  gods  learned  that  this  kindred  was  nour- 
ished in  Jotunheim,  and  when  the  gods  perceived  by  pro- 
phecy that  from  this  kindred  great  misfortune  should  befall 
them;  and  since  it  seemed  to  all  that  there  was  great  pros- 
pect of  ill  —  (first  from  the  mother's  blood,  and  yet  worse 
from  the  father's)  —  then  Allfather  sent  gods  thither  to 
take  the  children  and  bring  them  to  him.  When  they  came 
to  him,  straightway  he  cast  the  serpent  into  the  deep  sea, 
where  he  lies  about  all  the  land;  and  this  serpent  grew  so 
greatly  that  he  lies  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean  encompass- 
ing all  the  land,  and  bites  upon  his  own  tail.  Hel  he  cast 
into  Niflheim,  and  gave  to  her  power  over  nine  worlds,  to 
apportion  all  abodes  among  those  that  were  sent  to  her: 
that  is,  men  dead  of  sickness  or  of  old  age.  She  has  great 
possessions  there;  her  walls  are  exceeding  high  and  her 
gates  great.  Her  hall  is  called  Sleet-Cold;  her  dish.  Hunger; 
Famine  is  her  knife;  Idler,  her  thrall;  Sloven,  her  maid- 
servant; Pit  of  Stumbling,  her  threshold,  by  which  one  en- 
ters; Disease,  her  bed;  Gleaming  Bale,  her  bed-hangings. 
She  is  half  blue-black  and  half  flesh-color  (by  which  she 
is  easily  recognized),  and  very  lowering  and  fierce. 

The  Wolf  the  7?isir  brought  up  at  home,  and  Tyr  alone 
dared  go  to  him  to  give  him  meat.  But  when  the  gods  saw 
how  much  he  grew  every  day,  and  when  all  prophecies 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  43 

declared  that  he  was  fated  to  be  their  destruction,  then  the 
iEsir  seized  upon  this  way  of  escape:  they  made  a  very 
strong  fetter,  which  they  called  Laedingr,  and  brought  it 
before  the  Wolf,  bidding  him  try  his  strength  against  the 
fetter.  The  Wolf  thought  that  no  overwhelming  odds,  and 
let  them  do  with  him  as  they  would.  The  first  time  the 
Wolf  lashed  out  against  it,  the  fetter  broke;  so  he  was 
loosed  out  of  Laedingr.  After  this,  the  ^Esir  made  a  sec- 
ond fetter,  stronger  by  half,  which  they  called  Dromi,  and 
bade  the  Wolf  try  that  fetter,  saying  he  would  become  very 
famous  for  strength,  if  such  huge  workmanship  should  not 
suffice  to  hold  him.  But  the  Wolf  thought  that  this  fetter 
was  very  strong;  he  considered  also  that  strength  had  in- 
creased in  him  since  the  time  he  broke  Laedingr:  it  came 
into  his  mind,  that  he  must  expose  himself  to  danger,  if  he 
would  become  famous.  So  he  let  the  fetter  be  laid  upon 
him.  Now  when  the  iEsir  declared  themselves  ready,  the 
Wolf  shook  himself,  dashed  the  fetter  against  the  earth  and 
struggled  fiercely  with  it,  spurned  against  it,  and  broke  the 
fetter,  so  that  the  fragments  flew  far.  So  he  dashed  him- 
self out  of  Dromi.  Since  then  it  passes  as  a  proverb,'  to  loose 
out  of  Laedingr,'  or  Ho  dash  out  of  Dromi,'  when  anything 
is  exceeding  hard. 

"After  that  the  ^sir  feared  that  they  should  never  be 
able  to  get  the  Wolf  bound.  Then  Allfather  sent  him  who 
is  called  Skirnir,Freyr's  messenger,  down  into  the  region  of 
the  Black  Elves,  to  certain  dwarves,  and  caused  to  be  made 
the  fetter  named  Gleipnir.  It  was  made  of  six  things:  the 
noise  a  cat  makes  in  foot-fall,  the  beard  of  a  woman,  the 
roots  of  a  rock,  the  sinews  of  a  bear,  the  breath  of  a  fish, 
and  the  spittle  of  a  bird.  And  though  thou  understand  not 
these  matters  already,  yet  now  thou  mayest  speedily  find 


44 


PROSE  EDDA 


certain  proof  herein,  that  no  lie  is  told  thee:  thou  must 
have  seen  that  a  woman  has  no  beard,  and  no  sound  comes 
from  the  leap  of  a  cat,  and  there  are  no  roots  under  a  rock; 
and  by  my  troth,  all  that  I  have  told  thee  is  equally  true, 
though  there  be  some  things  which  thou  canst  not  put  to 
the  test." 

Then  said  Gangleri:  "This  certainly  I  can  perceive  to 
be  true:  these  things  which  thou  hast  taken  for  proof, 
I  can  see;  but  how  was  the  fetter  fashioned?"  Harr  an- 
swered: "That  I  am  well  able  to  tell  thee.  The  fetter  was 
soft  and  smooth  as  a  silken  ribbon,  but  as  sure  and  strong 
as  thou  shalt  now  hear.  Then,  when  the  fetter  was  brought 
to  the  iEsir,  they  thanked  the  messenger  well  for  his 
errand.  Then  the  iEsir  went  out  upon  the  lake  called  Ams- 
vartnir,  to  the  island  called  Lyngvi,  and  summoning  the 
Wolf  with  them,  they  showed  him  the  silken  ribbon  and 
bade  him  burst  it,  saying  that  it  was  somewhat  stouter 
than  appeared  from  its  thickness.  And  each  passed  it  to  the 
others,  and  tested  it  with  the  strength  of  their  hands  and  it 
did  not  snap;  yet  they  said  the  Wolf  could  break  it.  Then 
the  Wolf  answered:  ^Touching  this  matter  of  the  ribbon, 
it  seems  to  me  that  I  shall  get  no  glory  of  it,  though  I  snap 
asunder  so  slender  a  band;  but  if  it  be  made  with  cun- 
ning and  wiles,  then,  though  it  seem  little,  that  band  shall 
never  come  upon  my  feet.'  Then  the  ^sir  answered  that 
he  could  easily  snap  apart  a  slight  silken  band,  he  who 
had  before  broken  great  fetters  of  iron, — 'but  if  thou  shalt 
not  be  able  to  burst  this  band,  then  thou  wilt  not  be  able 
to  frighten  the  gods;  and  then  we  shall  unloose  thee.'  The 
Wolf  said:  'If  ye  bind  me  so  that  I  shall  not  get  free 
again,  then  ye  will  act  in  such  a  way  that  it  will  be  late 
ere  I  receive  help  from  you;  I  am  unwilling  that  this  band 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  45 

should  be  laid  upon  me.  Yet  rather  than  that  ye  should  im- 
pugn my  courage,  let  some  one  of  you  lay  his  hand  in  my 
mouth,  for  a  pledge  that  this  is  done  in  good  faith.'  Each 
of  the  ^sir  looked  at  his  neighbor,  and  none  was  willing  to 
part  with  his  hand,  until  Tyr  stretched  out  his  right  hand 
and  laid  it  in  the  Wolf's  mouth.  But  when  the  Wolf  lashed 
out,  the  fetter  became  hardened;  and  the  more  he  struggled 
against  it,  the  tighter  the  band  was.  Then_aU  laughed  ex- 
cept Tyr:  he  lost  his  hand^ 

"When  the  iEsir  saw  that  the  Wolf  was  fully  bound, 
they  took  the  chain  that  was  fast  to  the  fetter,  and  which 
is  called  Gelgja,  and  passed  it  through  a  great  rock  —  it 
is  called  GjoU — and  fixed  the  rock  deep  down  into  the 
earth.  Then  they  took  a  great  stone  and  drove  it  yet  deeper 
into  the  earth — it  was  called  Thviti — and  used  the  stone 
for  a  fastening-pin.  The  Wolf  gaped  terribly,  and  thrashed 
about  and  strove  to  bite  them;  they  thrust  into  his  mouth 
a  certain  sword:  the  guards  caught  in  his  lower  jaw,  and 
the  point  in  the  upper;  that  is  his  gag.  He  howls  hideously, 
and  slaver  runs  out  of  his  mouth:  that  is  the  river  called 
Van;  there  he  lies  till  the  Weird  of  the  Gods."  Then  said 
Gangleri:  "Marvellous  ill  children  did  Loki  beget, but  all 
these  brethren  are  of  great  might.  Yet  why  did  not  the 
JEsir  kill  the  Wolf,  seeing  they  had  expectation  of  evil 
from  him?"  Harr  answered:  "So  greatly  did  the  gods  es- 
teem their  holy  place  and  sanctuary,  that  they  would  not 
stain  it  with  the  Wolf's  blood;  though  (so  say  the  prophe- 
cies) he  shall  be  the  slayer  of  Odin." 

XXXV.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Which  are  the  Asynjur?" 
Harr  said :  "  Frigg  is  the  foremost :  she  has  that  estate  which 
is  called  Fensalir,  and  it  is  most  glorious.  The  second  is 


46 


PROSE  EDDA 


Saga:  she  dwells  at  S0kkvabekkr,  and  that  is  a  great  abode. 
The  third  is  Fir:  she  is  the  best  physician.  The  fourth  is 
Gefjun:  she  is  a  virgin,  and  they  that  die  maidens  attend 
her.  The  fifth  is  Fulla:  she  also  is  a  maid,  and  goes  with 
loose  tresses  and  a  golden  band  about  her  head ;  she  bears 
the  ashen  coffer  of  Frigg,  and  has  charge  over  her  foot- 
gear, and  knows  her  secret  counsel.  Freyja  is  most  gently 
born  (together  with  Frigg):  she  is  wedded  to  the  man 
named  Odr.  Their  daughter  is  Hnoss:  she  is  so  fair,  that 
those  things  which  are  fair  and  precious  are  called  hriossir, 
Odr  went  away  on  long  journeys,  and  Freyja  weeps  for 
him,  and  her  tears  are  red  gold.  Freyja  has  many  names, 
and  this  is  the  cause  thereof:  that  she  gave  herself  sundry 
names,  when  she  went  out  among  unknown  peoples  seek- 
ing Odr:  she  is  called  Mardoll  and  H6rn,Gefn,  Syr.  Freyja 
had  the  necklace  Brisinga-men.  She  is  also  called  Lady  of 
the  Vanir.  The  seventh  is  Sjofn:  she  is  most  diligent  in 
turning  the  thoughts  of  men  to  love,  both  of  women  and 
of  men;  and  from  her  name  love-longing  is  called  sjafnu 
The  eighth  is  Lofn :  she  is  so  gracious  and  kindly  to  those 
that  call  upon  her,  that  she  wins  AUfather's  or  Frigg's  per- 
mission for  the  coming  together  of  mankind  in  marriage, 
of  women  and  of  men,  though  it  were  forbidden  before,  or 
seem  flatly  denied;  from  her  name  such  permission  is  called 
Meave,'  and  thus  also  she  is  much  Moved'  of  men.  The 
ninth  is  Var:  she  barkens  to  the  oaths  and  compacts  made 
between  men  and  women ;  wherefore  such  covenants  are 
called  'vows.'  She  also  takes  vengeance  on  those  who 
perjure  themselves.  The  tenth  is  Vor:  she  is  wise  and  of 
searching  spirit,  so  that  none  can  conceal  anything  from 
her;  it  is  a  saying,  that  a  woman  becomes  'ware'  of  that 
of  which  she  is  informed.  The  eleventh  is  Syn:  she  keeps 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  47 

the  door  in  the  hall,  and  locks  it  before  those  who  should 
not  go  in ;  she  is  also  set  at  trials  as  a  defence  against  such 
suits  as  she  wishes  to  refute:  thence  is  the  expression, 
that  syn^  is  set  forward,  when  a  man  denies.  The  twelfth 
is  Hlin:  she  is  established  as  keeper  over  those  men  whom 
Frigg  desires  to  preserve  from  any  danger;  thence  comes 
the  saying,  that  he  who  escapes  ^  leans.'  Snotra  is  thir- 
teenth: she  is  prudent  and  of  gentle  bearing;  from  her 
name  a  woman  or  a  man  who  is  moderate  is  called  snotr.^ 
The  fourteenth  is  Gna:  her  Frigg  sends  into  divers  lands  on 
her  errands ;  she  has  that  horse  which  runs  over  sky  and  sea 
and  is  called  Hoof-Tosser.  Once  when  she  was  riding,  cer- 
tain of  the  Vanir  saw  her  course  in  the  air;  then  one  spake: 

What  flieth  there?         What  fareth  there, 
Or  glideth  in  the  air? 

She  made  answer: 

I  fly  not,        though  I  fare 

And  in  the  air  glide 
On  Hoof-Tosser,        him  that  Hamskerpir 

Gat  with  Gardrofa. 

From  Gna's  name  that  which  soars  high  is  said  to  gncsfa.^ 
Sol  and  Bil  are  reckoned  among  the  Asynjur,  but  their 
nature  has  been  told  before. 

XXXVI.  "There  are  also  those  others  whose  office  it  is  to 
serve  in  Valhall,  to  bear  drink  and  mind  the  table-service 
and  ale-flagons;  Jthus  are  they  named  in  Grimnismal: 

^  Denial,  refutation.  ^  Wise,  prudent. 

^  Project,  be  eminent,  tower. 


48  PROSE  EDDA 

Hrist  and  Mist         I  would  have  bear  the  horn  to  me, 

Skeggjold  and  Skogull; 
Hildr  and  Thriidr,         Hlokk  and  Herfjotur, 

G611  and  Geirahod, 
Randgridr  and  Radgridr        and  Reginleif — 

These  bear  the  Einherjar  ale. 

These  are  called  Valkyrs:  them  Odin  sends  to  every  bat- 
tle; they  determine  men's  feyness  and  award  victory.  Gudr 
and  Rota  and  the  youngest  Norn,  she  who  is  called  Skuld, 
ride  ever  to  take  the  slain  and  decide  fights.  Jord,the  mother 
of  Thor,  and  Rindr,  Vali's  mother,  are  reckoned  among 
the  Asynjur. 

XXXVII.  "A  certain  man  was  called  Gymir,  and  his  wife 
Aurboda:  she  was  of  the  stock  of  the  Hill-Giants;  their 
daughter  was  Gerdr,  who  was  fairest  of  all  women.  It 
chanced  one  day  that  Freyr  had  gone  to  Hlidskjalf,  and 
gazed  over  all  the  world;  but  when  he  looked  over  into 
the  northern  region,  he  saw  on  an  estate  a  house  great 
and  fair.  And  toward  this  house  went  a  woman;  when 
she  raised  her  hands  and  opened  the  door  before  her, 
brightness  gleamed  from  her  hands,  both  over  sky  and 
sea,  and  all  the  worlds  were  illumined  of  her.  Thus  his 
overweening  pride,  in  having  presumed  to  sit  in  that  holy 
seat,  was  avenged  upon  him,  that  he  went  away  full  of 
sorrow.  When  he  had  come  home,  he  spake  not,  he  slept 
not,  he  drank  not;  no  man  dared  speak  to  him.  Then 
Njordr  summoned  to  him  Skirnir,  Freyr's  foot-page,  and 
bade  him  go  to  Freyr  and  beg  speech  of  him  and  ask 
for  whose  sake  he  was  so  bitter  that  he  would  not  speak 
with  men.  But  Skirnir  said  he  would  go,  albeit  unwill- 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  49 

ingly;  and  said  that  evil  answers  were  to  be  expected  of 
Freyr. 

"  But  when  he  came  to  Freyr,  straightway  he  asked  why 
Freyr  was  so  downcast,  and  spake  not  with  men.  Then 
Freyr  answered  and  said  that  he  had  seen  a  fair  woman; 
and  for  her  sake  he  was  so  full  of  grief  that  he  would  not 
live  long  if  he  were  not  to  obtain  her.  'And  now  thou 
shalt  go  and  woo  her  on  my  behalf  and  have  her  hither,  KttT«^  ^  h*^^^* 
whether  her  father  will  or  no.  I  will  reward  thee  well  for 
it.'  Then  Skirnir  answered  thus:  he  would  go  on  his  er- 
rand, but  Freyr  should  give  him  his  own  sword  —  which  is 
so  good  that  it  fights  of  itself;  —  and  Freyr  did  not  refuse, 
but  gave  him  the  sword.  Then  Skirnir  went  forth  and  wooed 
the  woman  for  him,  and  received  her  promise;  and  nine 
nights  later  she  was  to  come  to  the  place  called  Barrey, 
and  then  go  to  the  bridal  with  Freyr.  But  when  Skirnir 
told  Freyr  his  answer,  then  he  sang  this  lay: 

Long  is  one  night,         long  is  the  second; 

How  can  I  wait  through  three? 
Often  a  month         to  me  seemed  less 

Than  this  one  night  of  waiting. 

This  was  to  blame  for  Freyr's  being  so  weaponless,  when 
he  fought  with  Beli,  and  slew  him  with  the  horn  of  a  hart." 
Then  said  Gangleri:  "'T  is  much  to  be  wondered  at,  that 
such  a  great  chief  as  Freyr  is  would  give  away  his  sword, 
not  having  another  equally  good.  It  was  a  great  privation  to 
him,  when  he  fought  with  him  called  Beli;  by  my  faith,  he 
must  have  rued  that  gift."  Then  answered  Harr:  "There 
was  small  matter  in  that,  when  he  and  Beli  met;  Freyr 
could  have  killed  him  with  his  hand.  It  shall  come  to  pass 


50 


PROSE  EDDA 


that  Freyr  will  think  a  worse  thing  has  come  upon  him, 
when  he  misses  his  sword  on  that  day  that  the  Sons  of 
Muspell  go  a-harrying." 

XXXVIII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Thou  sayest  that  all 
those  men  who  have  fallen  in  battle  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world  are  now  come  to  Odin  in  Valhall.  What  has  he 
to  give  them  for  food  ?  I  should  think  that  a  very  great  host 
must  be  there."  Then  Harr  answered:  "That  which  thou 
sayest  is  true:  a  very  mighty  multitude  is  there,  but  many 
more  shall  be,  notwithstanding  which  it  will  seem  all  too 
small,  in  the  time  when  the  Wolf  shall  come.  But  never 
is  so  vast  a  multitude  in  Valhall  that  the  flesh  of  that  boar 
shall  fail,  which  is  called  Saehrimnir;  he  is  boiled  every 
day  and  is  whole  at  evening.  But  this  question  which  thou 
askest  now:  I  think  it  likelier  that  few  may  be  so  wise  as 
to  be  able  to  report  truthfully  concerning  it.  His  name 
who  roasts  is  Andhrimnir,  and  the  kettle  is  Eldhrimnir;  so 
it  is  said  here: 

Andhrimnir         has  in  Eldhrimnir 

Saehrimnir  sodden. 
Best  of  hams;         yet  how  few  know 

With  what  food  the  champions  are  fed.'* 

Then  said  Gangleri:  "Has  Odin  the  same  fare  as  the 
champions?"  Harr  answered:  "That  food  which  stands 
on  his  board  he  gives  to  two  wolves  which  he  has,  called 
Geri'  and  Freki;^  but  no  food  does  he  need;  wine  is  both 
food  and  drink  to  him;  so  it  says  here: 


^  Ravener. 


^  Glutton,  greedy. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  51 

Geri  and  Freki         the  war-mighty  glutteth, 
The  glorious  God  of  Hosts; 

But  on  wine  alone         the  weapon-glorious 
Odin  aye  liveth. 

The  ravens  sit  on  his  shoulders  and  say  into  his  ear  all  the 
tidings  which  they  see  or  hear;  they  are  called  thus:  Hu- 
ginn^  and  Muninn.^  He  sends  them  at  day-break  to  fly 
about  all  the  world,  and  they  come  back  at  undern-meal; 
thus  he  is  acquainted  with  many  tidings.  Therefore  men 
call  him  Raven-God,  as  is  said: 

Huginn  and  Muninn         hover  each  day 

The  wide  earth  over; 
I  fear  for  Huginn         lest  he  fare  not  back, — 

Yet  watch  I  more  for  Muninn." 

XXXIX.  Then  said  Gangleri : "  What  have  the  champions 
to  drink,  that  may  suffice  them  as  abundantly  as  the  food? 
Or  is  water  drunk  there?"  Then  said  Harr:  "Now  thou 
askest  strangely;  as  if  Allfather  would  invite  to  him  kings 
or  earls  or  other  men  of  might  and  would  give  them  water 
to  drink!  I  know,  by  my  faith!  that  many  a  man  comes  to 
Valhall  who  would  think  he  had  bought  his  drink  of  water 
dearly,  if  there  were  not  better  cheer  to  be  had  there,  he 
who  before  had  suffered  wounds  and  burning  pain  unto 
death.  I  can  tell  thee  a  difFerent  tale  of  this.  The  she-goat, 
she  who  is  called  Heidrun,  stands  up  in  Valhall  and  bites 
the  needles  from  the  limb  of  that  tree  which  is  very  famous, 
and  is  called  Laeradr;  and  from  her  udders  mead  runs  so 
copiously,  that  she  fills  a  tun  every  day.  That  tun  is  so  great 

*  Thought.  ^  Memory. 


52  PROSE  EDDA 

that  all  the  champions  become  quite  drunk  from  it."  Then 
said  Gangleri:  "That  is  a  wondrous  proper  goat  for  them ; 
it  must  be  an  exceeding  good  tree  from  which  she  eats." 
Then  spake  Harr:  "Even  more  worthy  of  note  is  the  hart 
Eikthyrni,  which  stands  in  Valhall  and  bites  from  the  limbs 
of  the  tree;  and  from  his  horns  distils  such  abundant  exu- 
dation that  it  comes  down  into  Hvergelmir,and  from  thence 
fall  those  rivers  called  thus :  Sid,  Vid,  S0kin,  Eikin,  Svol, 
Gunnthra,  Fjorm,  Fimbulthul,  Gipul,  Gopul,  Gomul, 
Geirvimul.  Those  fall  about  the  abodes  of  the  ^sir;  these 
also  are  recorded:  Thyn,  Vin,  Tholl,  Holl,  Grad,  Gunn- 
thrain,  Nyt,  Not,  Nonn,  Hronn,  Vina,  Vegsvinn,  Thjod- 


numa." 


XL.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "These  are  marvellous  tidings 
which  thou  now  tellest.  A  wondrous  great  house  Valhall 
must  be;  it  must  often  be  exceeding  crowded  before  the 
doors."  Then  Harr  answered:  "Why  dost  thou  not  ask 
how  many  doors  there  are  in  the  hall,  or  how  great?  If 
thou  hearest  that  told,  then  thou  wilt  say  that  it  is  strange 
indeed  if  whosoever  will  may  not  go  out  and  in;  but  it 
may  be  said  truly  that  it  is  no  more  crowded  to  find  place 
therein  than  to  enter  into  it;  here  thou  mayest  read  in 
Grimnismal : 

Five  hundred  doors         and  forty  more 

So  I  deem  stand  in  Valhall; 
Eight  hundred  champions         go  out  at  each  door 

When  they  fare  to  fight  with  the  Wolf." 

XLI.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "A  very  mighty  multitude  of 
men  is  in  Valhall,  so  that,  by  my  faith,  Odin  is  a  very  great 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  53 

chieftain,  since  he  commands  so  large  an  army.  Now  what 
is  the  sport  of  the  champions,  when  they  are  not  fighting?" 
Harr  replied :  "  Every  day,  as  soon  as  they  are  clothed,  they 
straightway  put  on  their  armor  and  go  out  into  the  court 
and  fight,  and  fell  each  other.  That  is  their  sport ;  and  when 
the  time  draws  near  to  undern-meal,  they  ride  home  to  Val- 
hall  and  sit  down  to  drink,  even  as  is  said  here: 

All  the  Einherjar         in  Odin's  court 

Deal  out  blows  every  day; 
The  slain  they  choose         and  ride  from  the  strife, — 

Sit  later  in  love  together. 

But  what  thou  hast  said  is  true:  Odin  is  of  great  might. 
Many  examples  are  found  in  proof  of  this,  as  is  here  said 
in  the  words  of  the  ^sir  themselves: 

Ash  Yggdrasill's  trunk         of  trees  is  foremost. 

And  Skidbladnir  of  ships; 
Odin  of  ^sir,         of  all  steeds  Sleipnir, 
Bifrost  of  bridges,         and  Bragi  of  skalds; 
Habrok  of  hawks,         and  of  hounds  Garmr." 

XLII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Who  owns  that  horse  Sleip- 
nir, or  what  is  to  be  said  of  him?"  Harr  answered:  "Thou 
hast  no  knowledge  of  Sleipnir's  points,  and  thou  knowest 
not  the  circumstances  of  his  begetting;  but  it  will  seem 
to  thee  worth  the  telling.  It  was  early  in  the  first  days  of 
the  gods'  dwelling  here,  when  the  gods  had  established  the 
Midgard  and  made  Valhall;  there  came  at  that  time  a  cer- 
tain wright  and  offered  to  build  them  a  citadel  in  three  sea- 
sons, so  good  that  it  should  be  staunch  and  proof  against 
the  Hill-Giants  and  the  Rime-Giants,  though  they  should 


54  PROSE  EDDA 

come  in  over  Midgard.  But  he  demanded  as  wages  that 
he  should  have  possession  of  Freyja,  and  would  fain  have 
had  the  sun  and  the  moon.  Then  the  ^Esir  held  parley  and 
took  counsel  together;  and  a  bargain  was  made  with  the 
Wright,  that  he  should  have  that  which  he  demanded,  if 
he  should  succeed  in  completing  the  citadel  in  one  win- 
ter. On  the  first  day  of  summer,  if  any  part  of  the  citadel 
were  left  unfinished,  he  should  lose  his  reward;  and  he  was 
to  receive  help  from  no  man  in  the  work.  When  they  told 
him  these  conditions,  he  asked  that  they  would  give  him 
leave  to  have  the  help  of  his  stallion,  which  was  called  Sva- 
dilfari;  and  Loki  advised  it,  so  that  the  wright's  petition 
was  granted.  He  set  to  work  the  first  day  of  winter  to  make 
the  citadel,  and  by  night  he  hauled  stones  with  the  stal- 
lion's aid;  and  it  seemed  very  marvellous  to  the  ^Esir  what 
great  rocks  that  horse  drew,  for  the  horse  did  more  rough 
work  by  half  than  did  the  wright.  But  there  were  strong 
witnesses  to  their  bargain,  and  many  oaths,  since  it  seemed 
unsafe  to  the  giant  to  be  among  the  ^sir  without  truce, 
if  Thor  should  come  home.  But  Thor  had  then  gone  away 
into  the  eastern  region  to  fight  trolls. 

"Now  when  the  winter  drew  nigh  unto  its  end,  the  build- 
ing of  the  citadel  was  far  advanced;  and  it  was  so  high  and 
strong  that  it  could  not  be  taken.  When  it  lacked  three 
days  of  summer,  the  work  had  almost  reached  the  gate 
of  the  stronghold.  Then  the  gods  sat  down  in  their  judg- 
ment seats,  and  sought  means  of  evasion,  and  asked  one 
another  who  had  advised  giving  Freyja  into  Jotunheim,  or 
so  destroying  the  air  and  the  heaven  as  to  take  thence  the 
sun  and  the  moon  and  give  them  to  the  giants.  The  gods 
agreed  that  he  must  have  counselled  this  who  is  wont  to 
give  evil  advice,  Loki   Laufeyarson,  and  they  declared 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  55 

him  deserving  of  an  ill  death,  if  he  could  not  hit  upon  a 
way  of  losing  the  wright  his  wages;  and  they  threatened 
Loki  with  violence.  But  when  he  became  frightened,  then 
he  swore  oaths,  that  he  would  so  contrive  that  the  wright 
should  lose  his  wages,  cost  him  what  it  might. 

"That  same  evening,  when  the  wright  drove  out  after 
stone  with  the  stallion  Svadilfari,  a  mare  bounded  forth 
from  a  certain  wood  and  whinnied  to  him.  The  stallion, 
perceiving  what  manner  of  horse  this  was,  straightway  be- 
came frantic,  and  snapped  the  traces  asunder,  and  leaped 
over  to  the  mare,  and  she  away  to  the  wood,  and  the  wright 
after,  striving  to  seize  the  stallion.  These  horses  ran  all 
night,  and  the  wright  stopped  there  that  night;  and  after- 
ward, at  day,  the  work  was  not  done  as  it  had  been  before. 
When  the  wright  saw  that  the  work  could  not  be  brought 
to  an  end,  he  fell  into  giant's  fury.  Now  that  the  iEsir 
saw  surely  that  the  hill-giant  was  come  thither,  they  did 
not  regard  their  oaths  reverently,  but  called  on  Thor,  who 
came  as  quickly.  And  straightway  the  hammer  Mjollnir 
was  raised  aloft;  he  paid  the  wright's  wage,  and  not  with 
the  sun  and  the  moon.  Nay,  he  even  denied  him  dwelling 
in  Jcitunheim,  and  struck  but  the  one  first  blow,  so  that 
his  skull  was  burst  into  small  crumbs,  and  sent  him  down 
below  under  Niflhel.  But  Loki  had  such  dealings  with  Sva- 
dilfari, that  somewhat  later  he  gave  birth  to  a  foal,  which 
was  gray  and  had  eight  feet;  and  this  horse  is  the  best  among 
gods  and  men.  So  is  said  in  Voluspa: 

Then  all  the  Powers  strode  to  the  seats  of  judgment, 
The  most  holy  gods  council  held  together: 

Who  had  the  air  all         with  evil  envenomed. 
Or  to  the  Ettin-race         (3dr's  maid  given. 


56  PROSE  EDDA 

Broken  were  oaths  then,        bond  and  swearing, 
Pledges  all  sacred         which  passed  between  them; 
Thor  alone  smote  there,        swollen  with  anger: 
He  seldom  sits  still        when  such  he  hears  of." 

XLIII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  is  to  be  said  of  Skid- 
bladnir,  that  which  is  best  of  ships  ?  Is  there  no  ship  equally 
great?"  Harr  replied:  "Skidbladnir  is  best  of  ships  and 
made  with  most  skill  of  craftsmanship;  but  Naglfar  is  the 
largest  ship ;  Muspell  has  it.  Certain  dwarves,  sons  of  I valdi, 
made  Skidbladnir  and  gave  the  ship  to  Freyr.  It  is  so  great 
that  all  the  iEsir  may  man  it,  with  their  weapons  and  ar- 
maments, and  it  has  a  favoring  wind  as  soon  as  the  sail  is 
hoisted,  whithersoever  it  is  bound;  but  ^yhen  there  J3  n^^- 

.occasion  for  going  to  sea  in  it,  it  is_rnade  of  so  many  thin££ 
^nd  with  so  much  cunning^thr^t  thf  p_j£  may  be  folded  to;;:.^ 

^ether  like  a  napkin  and  kept  JTLpne's  pouch," 

XLIV.  Then  spake  Gangleri:  "A  good  ship  is  Skidblad- 
nir, but  very  great  magic  must  have  been  used  upon  it  be- 
fore it  got  to  be  so  fashioned.  Has  Thor  never  experienced 
such  a  thing,  that  he  has  found  in  his  path  somewhat  so 
mighty  or  so  powerful  that  it  has  overmatched  him  through 
strength  of  magic?"  Then  said  Harr:  "Few  men,  I  ween, 
are  able  to  tell  of  this;  yet  many  a  thing  has  seemed  to 
him  hard  to  overcome.  Though  there  may  have  been  some- 
thing so  powerful  or  strong  that  Thor  might  not  have 
succeeded  in  winning  the  victory,  yet  it  is  not  necessary 
to  speak  of  it;  because  there  are  many  examples  to  prove^ 
and  because  all  are  bound  to  believe,  that  Thor  is  mighti- 
est." Then  said  Gangleri:  "It  seems  to  me  that  I  must 
have  asked  you  touching  this  matter  what  no  one  is  able 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  57 

to  tell  of.  Then  spake  Jafnharr:  "We  have  heard  say  con- 
cerning some  matters  which  seem  to  us  incredible,  but 
here  sits  one  near  at  hand  who  will  know  how  to  tell  true 
tidings  of  this.  Therefore  thou  must  believe  that  he  will  not 
lie  for  the  first  time  now,  who  never  lied  before."  Gang- 
leri  said:  "Here  will  I  stand  and  listen,  if  any  answer  is 
forthcoming  to  this  word;  but  otherwise  I  pronounce  you 
overcome,  if  ye  cannot  tell  that  which  I  ask  you." 

Then  spake  Thridi:  "Now  it  is  evident  that  he  is  re- 
solved to  know  this  matter,  though  it  seem  not  to  us  a 
pleasant  thing  to  tell.  This  is  the  beginning  of  this  tale: 
Oku-Thor  drove  forth  with  his  he-goats  and  chariot,  and 
with  him  that  As  called  Loki;  they  came  at  evening  to  a 
husbandman's,  and  there  received  a  night's  lodging.  About 
evening,  Thor  took  his  he-goats  and  slaughtered  them  both; 
after  that  they  were  flayed  and  borne  to  the  caldron.  When 
the  cooking  was  done,  then  Thor  and  his  companion  sat 
down  to  supper.  Thor  invited  to  meat  with  him  the  hus- 
bandman and  his  wife,  and  their  children :  the  husband- 
man's son  was  called  Thjalfi,  and  the  daughter  Roskva. 
Then  Thor  laid  the  goat-hides  farther  away  from  the  fire, 
and  said  that  the  husbandman  and  his  servants  should  cast 
the  bones  on  the  goat-hides.  Thjalfi,  the  husbandman's 
son,  was  holding  a  thigh-bone  of  the  goat,  and  split  it  with 
his  knife  and  broke  it  for  the  marrow. 

"Thor  tarried  there  overnight;  and  in  the  interval  be- 
fore day  he  rose  up  and  clothed  himself,  took  the  ham- 
mer Mjollnir,  swung  it  up,  and  hallowed  the  goat-hides; 
straightway  the  he-goats  rose  up,  and  then  one  of  them  was 
lame  in  a  hind  leg.  Thor  discovered  this,  and  declared  that 
the  husbandman  or  his  household  could  not  have  dealt 
wisely  with  the  bones  of  the  goat :  he  knew  that  the  thigh- 


58  PROSE  EDDA 

bone  was  broken.  There  is  no  need  to  make  a  long  story 
of  it;  all  may  know  how  frightened  the  husbandman  must 
have  been  when  he  saw  how  Thor  let  his  brows  sink  down 
before  his  eyes;  but  when  he  looked  at  the  eyes,  then  it 
seemed  to  him  that  he  must  fall  down  before  their  glances 
alone.  Thor  clenched  his  hands  on  the  hammer-shaft  so 
that  the  knuckles  whitened;  and  the  husbandman  and  all 
his  household  did  what  was  to  be  expected :  they  cried  out 
lustily,  prayed  for  peace,  offered  in  recompense  all  that 
they  had.  But  when  he  saw  their  terror,  then  the  fury  de- 
parted from  him,  and  he  became  appeased,  and  took  of 
them  in  atonement  their  children,  Thjalfi  and  R6skva,who 
then  became  his  bond-servants;  and  they  follow  him  ever 
since. 

XLV.  "Thereupon  he  left  his  goats  behind,  and  began 
his  journey  eastward  toward  Jotunheim  and  clear  to  the 
sea;  and  then  he  went  out  over  the  sea,  that  deep  one;  but 
when  he  came  to  land,  he  went  up,  and  Loki  and  Thjalfi 
and  Roskva  with  him.  Then,  when  they  had  walked  a  little 
while,  there  stood  before  them  a  great  forest;  they  walked 
all  that  day  till  dark.  Thjalfi  was  swiftest-footed  of  all 
men;  he  bore  Thor's  bag,  but  there  was  nothing  good  for 
food.  As  soon  as  it  had  become  dark,  they  sought  them- 
selves shelter  for  the  night,  and  found  before  them  a  cer- 
tain hall,  very  great:  there  was  a  door  in  the  end,  of  equal 
width  with  the  hall,  wherein  they  took  up  quarters  for  the 
night.  But  about  midnight  there  came  a  great  earthquake: 
the  earth  rocked  under  them  exceedingly,  and  the  house 
trembled.  Then  Thor  rose  up  and  called  to  his  companions, 
and  they  explored  farther,  and  found  in  the  middle  of  the 
hall  a  side-chamber  on  the  right  hand,  and  they  went  in 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  59 

thither.  Thor  sat  down  in  the  doorway,  but  the  others 
were  farther  in  from  him,  and  they  were  afraid;  but  Thor 
gripped  his  hammer-shaft  and  thought  to  defend  himself. 
Then  they  heard  a  great  humming  sound,  and  a  crashing. 
"But  when  it  drew  near  dawn,  then  Thor  went  out  and 
saw  a  man  lying  a  little  way  from  him  in  the  wood;  and 
that  man  was  not  small ;  he  slept  and  snored  mightily.  Then 
Thor  thought  he  could  perceive  what  kind  of  noise  it  was 
which  they  had  heard  during  the  night.  He  girded  himself 
with  his  belt  of  strength,  and  his  divine  power  waxed; 
and  on  the  instant  the  man  awoke  and  rose  up  swiftly; 
and  then,  it  is  said,  the  first  time  Thor's  heart  failed  him, 
to  strike  him  with  the  hammer.  He  asked  him  his  name, 
and  the  man  called  himself  Skrymir, —  ^but  I  have  no 
need,'  he  said,  'to  ask  thee  for  thy  name;  I  know  that 
thou  art  Asa-Thor.  But  what?  Hast  thou  dragged  away 
my  glove?'  Then  Skrymir  stretched  out  his  hand  and  took 
up  the  glove;  and  at  once  Thor  saw  that  it  was  that  which 
he  had  taken  for  a  hall  during  the  night;  and  as  for  the  side- 
chamber,  it  was  the  thumb  of  the  glove.  Skrymir  asked 
whetherThor  would  have  his  company,  and  Thor  assented 
to  this.  Then  Skrymir  took  and  unloosened  his  provision- 
wallet  and  made  ready  to  eat  his  morning  meal,  and  Thor 
and  his  fellows  in  another  place.  Skrymir  then  proposed 
to  them  to  lay  their  supply  of  food  together,  and  Thor 
assented.  Then  Skrymir  bound  all  the  food  in  one  bag  and 
laid  it  on  his  own  back;  he  went  before  during  the  day, 
and  stepped  with  very  great  strides;  but  late  in  the  even- 
ing Skrymir  found  them  night-quarters  under  a  certain 
great  oak.  Then  Skrymir  said  to  Thor  that  he  would  lay 
him  down  to  sleep, — 'and  do  ye  take  the  provision-bag 
and  make  ready  for  your  supper.' 


6o  PROSE  EDDA 

"Thereupon  Skrymir  slept  and  snored  hard,  and  Thor 
took  the  provision-bag  and  set  about  to  unloose  it;  but 
such  things  must  be  told  as  will  seem  incredible:  he  got  no 
knot  loosened  and  no  thong-end  stirred,  so  as  to  be  looser 
than  before.  When  he  saw  that  this  work  might  not  avail, 
then  he  became  angered,  gripped  the  hammer  Mjollnir  in 
both  hands,  and  strode  with  great  strides  to  that  place 
where  Skrymir  lay,  and  smote  him  in  the  head.  Skrymir 
awoke,  and  asked  whether  a  leaf  had  fallen  upon  his  head; 
or  whether  they  had  eaten  and  were  ready  for  bed?  Thor 
replied  that  they  were  just  then  about  to  go  to  sleep;  then 
they  went  under  another  oak.  It  must  be  told  thee,  that 
there  was  then  no  fearless  sleeping.  At  midnight  Thor 
heard  how  Skrymir  snored  and  slept  fast,  so  that  it  thun- 
dered in  the  woods;  then  he  stood  up  and  went  to  him, 
shook  his  hammer  eagerly  and  hard,  and  smote  down  upon 
the  middle  of  his  crown :  he  saw  that  the  face  of  the  ham- 
mer sank  deep  into  his  head.  And  at  that  moment  Skrymir 
awoke  and  said:  'What  is  it  now?  Did  some  acorn  fall 
on  my  head?  Or  what  is  the  news  with  thee,  Thor?'  But 
Thor  went  back  speedily,  and  replied  that  he  was  then  but 
new-wakened;  said  that  it  was  then  midnight,  and  there 
was  yet  time  to  sleep. 

"Thor  meditated  that  if  he  could  get  to  strike  him  a  third 
blow,  never  should  the  giant  see  himself  again;  he  lay  now 
and  watched  whether  Skrymir  were  sleeping  soundly  yet. 
A  little  before  day,  when  he  perceived  that  Skrymir  must 
have  fallen  asleep,  he  stood  up  at  once  and  rushed  over 
to  him,  brandished  his  hammer  with  all  his  strength,  and 
smote  upon  that  one  of  his  temples  which  was  turned  up. 
But  Skrymir  sat  up  and  stroked  his  cheek,  and  said  :  'Some 
birds  must  be  sitting  in  the  tree  above  me;  I  imagined. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  6i 

when  I  awoke,  that  some  dirt  from  the  twigs  fell  upon  my 
head.  Art  thou  awake,  Thor  ?  It  will  be  time  to  arise  and 
clothe  us;  but  now  ye  have  no  long  journey  forward  to  the 
castle  called  tJtgardr.  I  have  heard  how  ye  have  whispered 
among  yourselves  that  I  am  no  little  man  in  stature;  but  ye 
shall  see  taller  men,  if  ye  come  into  Utgardr.  Now  I  will 
give  you  wholesome  advice:  do  not  conduct  yourselves 
boastfully,  for  the  henchmen  of  tJtgarda-Loki  will  not  well 
endure  big  words  from  such  swaddling-babes.  But  if  not 
so,  then  turn  back,  and  I  think  it  were  better  for  you  to 
do  that;  but  if  ye  will  go  forward,  then  turn  to  the  east.  As 
for  me,  I  hold  my  way  north  to  these  hills,  which  ye  may 
now  see.'  Skrymir  took  the  provision-bag  and  cast  it  on 
his  back,  and  turned  from  them  across  the  forest;  and  it^ 
jsp^f-^^'^^^H  that  the  ^sir  bade  him  god-speed. 

XL VI.  "Thor  turned  forward  on  his  way,  and  his  fellows, 
and  went  onward  till  mid-day.  Then  they  saw  a  castle 
standing  in  a  certain  plain,  and  set  their  necks  down  on 
their  backs  before  they  could  see  up  over  it.  They  went  to 
the  castle;  and  there  was  a  grating  in  front  of  the  castle- 
gate,  and  it  was  closed.  Thor  went  up  to  the  grating,  and 
did  not  succeed  in  opening  it;  but  when  they  struggled  to 
make  their  way  in,  they  crept  between  the  bars  and  came 
in  that  way.  They  saw  a  great  hall  and  went  thither;  the 
door  was  open;  then  they  went  in,  and  saw  there  many 
men  on  two  benches,  and  most  of  them  were  big  enough. 
Thereupon  they  came  before  the  king  tJtgarda-Loki  and 
saluted  him;  but  he  looked  at  them  in  his  own  good  time, 
and  smiled  scornfully  over  his  teeth,  and  said:  ^It  is  late 
to  ask  tidings  of  a  long  journey;  or  is  it  otherwise  than 
I  think:  that  this  toddler  is  Oku-Thor?  Yet  thou  may- 


62  PROSE  EDDA 

est  be  greater  than  thou  appearest  to  me.  What  manner  of 
accomplishments  are  those,  which  thou  and  thy  fellows 
think  to  be  ready  for?  No  one  shall  be  here  with  us  who 
knows  not  some  kind  of  craft  or  cunning  surpassing  most 
men.' 

"Then  spoke  the  one  who  came  last,  who  was  called 
Loki:  'I  know  such  a  trick,  which  I  am  ready  to  try:  that 
there  is  no  one  within  here  who  shall  eat  his  food  more 
quickly  than  I.'  Then  Utgarda-Loki  answered:  ^That  is  a 
feat,  if  thou  accomplish  it;  and  this  feat  shall  accordingly 
be  put  to  the  proof.'  He  called  to  the  farther  end  of  the 
bench,  that  he  who  was  called  Logi  should  come  forth  on 
the  floor  and  try  his  prowess  against  Loki.  Then  a  trough 
was  taken  and  borne  in  upon  the  hall-floor  and  filled  with 
flesh;  Loki  sat  down  at  the  one  end  and  Logi  at  the  other, 
and  each  ate  as  fast  as  he  could,  and  they  met  in  the 
middle  of  the  trough.  By  that  time  Loki  had  eaten  all  the 
meat  from  the  bones,  but  Logi  likewise  had  eaten  all  the 
meat,  and  the  bones  with  it,  and  the  trough  too;  and  now 
it  seemed  to  all  as  if  Loki  had  lost  the  game. 

"Then  tJtgarda-Loki  asked  what  yonder  young  man 
could  play  at;  and  Thjalfi  answered  that  he  would  under- 
take to  run  a  race  with  whomsoever  Utgarda-Loki  would 
bring  up.  Then  tltgarda-Loki  said  that  that  was  a  good  ac- 
complishment, and  that  there  was  great  likelihood  that  he 
must  be  well  endowed  with  fleetness  if  he  were  to  perform 
that  feat;  yet  he  would  speedily  see  to  it  that  the  matter 
should  be  tested.  Then  tJtgarda-Loki  arose  and  went  out; 
and  there  was  a  good  course  to  run  on  over  the  level  plain. 
Then  tJtgarda-Loki  called  to  him  a  certain  lad,  who  was 
named  Hugi,  and  bade  him  run  a  match  against  Thjalfi. 
Then  they  held  the  first  heat;  and  Hugi  was  so  much 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  63 

ahead  that  he  turned  back  to  meet  Thjalfi  at  the  end  of 
the  course.  Then  said  Utgarda-Loki :  ^Thou  wilt  need  to 
lay  thyself  forward  more,  Thjalfi,  if  thou  art  to  win  the 
game;  but  it  is  none  the  less  true  that  never  have  any  men 
come  hither  who  seemed  to  me  fleeter  of  foot  than  this.' 
Then  they  began  another  heat;  and  when  Hugi  had  reached 
the  course's  end,  and  was  turning  back,  there  was  still 
a  long  bolt-shot  to  Thjalfi.  Then  spake  Utgarda-Loki: 
^Thjalfi  appears  to  me  to  run  this  course  well,  but  I  do  not 
believe  of  him  now  that  he  will  win  the  game.  But  it  will 
be  made  manifest  presently,  when  they  run  the  third  heat.' 
Then  they  began  the  heat;  but  when  Hugi  had  come  to 
the  end  of  the  course  and  turned  back,  Thjalfi  had  not  yet 
reached  mid-course.  Then  all  said  that  that  game  had  been 
proven. 

"  Next,  Utgarda-Loki  asked  Thor  what  feats  there  were 
which  he  might  desire  to  show  before  them:  such  great 
tales  as  men  have  made  of  his  mighty  works.  Then  Thor 
answered  that  he  would  most  willingly  undertake  to  con- 
tend with  any  in  drinking.  Utgarda-Loki  said  that  might 
well  be;  he  went  into  the  hall  and  called  his  serving-boy, 
and  bade  him  bring  the  sconce-horn  which  the  henchmen 
were  wont  to  drink  off.  Straightway  the  serving-lad  came 
forward  with  the  horn  and  put  it  into  Thor's  hand.  Then 
said  tJtgarda-Loki : '  It  is  held  that  this  horn  is  well  drained 
if  it  is  drunk  off  in  one  drink,  but  some  drink  it  off  in  two; 
but  no  one  is  so  poor  a  man  at  drinking  that  it  fails  to  drain 
off  in  three.'  Thor  looked  upon  the  horn,  and  it  did  not 
seem  big  to  him;  and  yet  it  was  somewhat  long.  Still  he 
was  very  thirsty;  he  took  and  drank,  and  swallowed  enor- 
mously, and  thought  that  he  should  not  need  to  bend  oftener 
to  the  horn.  But  when  his  breath  failed,  and  he  raised  his 


64  PROSE  EDDA 

head  from  the  horn  and  looked  to  see  how  it  had  gone 
with  the  drinking,  it  seemed  to  him  that  there  was  very 
little  space  by  which  the  drink  was  lower  now  in  the  horn 
than  before.  Then  said  Utgarda-Loki :  'It  is  well  drunk, 
and  not  too  much;  I  should  not  have  believed,  if  it  had 
been  told  me,  that  Asa-Thor  could  not  drink  a  greater 
draught.  But  I  know  that  thou  wilt  wish  to  drink  it  ofFin 
another  draught.'  Thor  answered  nothing;  he  set  the  horn 
to  his  mouth,  thinking  now  that  he  should  drink  a  greater 
drink,  and  struggled  with  the  draught  until  his  breath  gave 
out;  and  yet  he  saw  that  the  tip  of  the  horn  would  not 
come  up  so  much  as  he  liked.  When  he  took  the  horn 
from  his  mouth  and  looked  into  it,  it  seemed  to  him  then 
as  if  it  had  decreased  less  than  the  former  time;  but  now 
there  was  a  clearly  apparent  lowering  in  the  horn.  Then 
said  Utgarda-Loki : '  How  now, Thor  ?  Thou  wilt  not  shrink 
from  one  more  drink  than  may  be  well  for  thee?  If  thou 
now  drink  the  third  draught  from  the  horn,  it  seems  to  me 
as  if  this  must  be  esteemed  the  greatest;  but  thou  canst 
not  be  called  so  great  a  man  here  among  us  as  the  iEsir 
call  thee,  if  thou  give  not  a  better  account  of  thyself  in  the 
other  games  than  it  seems  to  me  may  come  of  this.'  Then 
Thor  became  angry,  set  the  horn  to  his  mouth,  and  drank 
with  all  his  might,  and  struggled  with  the  drink  as  much 
as  he  could;  and  when  he  looked  into  the  horn,  at  least 
some  space  had  been  made.  Then  he  gave  up  the  horn  and 
would  drink  no  more. 

"Then  said  tJtgarda-Loki :  'Now  it  is  evident  that  thy 
prowess  is  not  so  great  as  we  thought  it  to  be;  but  wilt 
thou  try  thy  hand  at  more  games  ?  It  may  readily  be  seen 
that  thou  gettest  no  advantage  hereof.'  Thor  answered: 
'I  will  make  trial  of  yet  other  games;  but  it  would  have 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  65 

seemed  wonderful  to  me,  when  I  was  at  home  with  the 
iEsir,  if  such  drinks  had  been  called  so  little.  But  what 
game  will  ye  now  offer  me?'  Then  said  Utgarda-Loki : 
^  Young  lads  here  are  wont  to  do  this  (which  is  thought 
of  small  consequence):  lift  my  cat  up  from  the  earth;  but 
I  should  not  have  been  able  to  speak  of  such  a  thing  to 
Asa-Thor  if  I  had  not  seen  that  thou  hast  far  less  in  thee 
than  I  had  thought.'  Thereupon  there  leaped  forth  on  the 
hall-floor  a  gray  cat,  and  a  very  big  one;  and  Thor  went 
to  it  and  took  it  with  his  hand  down  under  the  middle  of  the 
belly  and  lifted  up.  But  the  cat  bent  into  an  arch  just  as 
Thor  stretched  up  his  hands;  and  when  Thor  reached  up 
as  high  as  he  could  at  the  very  utmost,  then  the  cat  lifted 
up  one  foot,  and  Thor  got  this  game  no  further  advanced. 
Then  said  Utgarda-Loki:  'This  game  went  even  as  I  had 
foreseen;  the  cat  is  very  great,  whereas  Thor  is  low  and 
little  beside  the  huge  men  who  are  here  with  us.' 

"Then  said  Thor:  'Little  as  ye  call  me,  let  any  one 
come  up  now  and  wrestle  with  me;  now  I  am  angry.'  Then 
tJtgarda-Loki  answered,  looking  about  him  on  the  benches, 
and  spake:  'I  see  no  such  man  here  within,  who  would 
not  hold  it  a  disgrace  to  wrestle  with  thee;'  and  yet  he 
said:  'Let  us  see  first;  let  the  old  woman  my  nurse  be 
called  hither,  Elli,  and  let  Thor  wrestle  with  her  if  he  will. 
She  has  thrown  such  men  as  have  seemed  to  me  no  less 
strong  than  Thor.'  Straightway  there  came  into  the  hall 
an  old  woman,  stricken  in  years.  Then  tJtgarda-Loki  said 
that  she  should  grapple  with  Asa-Thor.  There  is  no  need 
to  make  a  long  matter  of  it:  that  struggle  went  in  such 
wise  that  the  harder  Thor  strove  in  gripping,  the  faster 
she  stood;  then  the  old  woman  essayed  a  hold,  and  then 
Thor  became  totty  on  his  feet,  and  their  tuggings  were 


66  PROSE  EDDA 

very  hard.  Yet  it  was  not  long  before  Thor  fell  to  his 
knee,  on  one  foot.  Then  Utgarda-Loki  went  up  and  bade 
them  cease  the  wrestling,  saying  that  Thor  should  not 
need  to  challenge  more  men  of  his  body-guard  to  wrest- 
ling. By  then  it  had  passed  toward  night;  Utgarda-Loki 
showed  Thor  and  his  companions  to  a  seat,  and  they  tar- 
ried there  the  night  long  in  good  cheer. 

XLVII.  "  But  at  morning,  as  soon  as  it  dawned,  Thor  and 
his  companions  arose,  clothed  themselves,  and  were  ready 
to  go  away.  Then  came  there  tJtgarda-Loki  and  caused  a 
table  to  be  set  for  them;  there  was  no  lack  of  good  cheer, 
meat  and  drink.  So  soon  as  they  had  eaten,  he  went  out 
from  the  castle  with  them;  and  at  parting  Utgarda-Loki 
spoke  to  Thor  and  asked  how  he  thought  his  journey  had 
ended,  or  whether  he  had  met  any  man  mightier  than  him- 
self. Thor  answered  that  he  could  not  say  that  he  had  not 
got  much  shame  in  their  dealings  together. '  But  yet  I  know 
that  ye  will  call  me  a  man  of  little  might,  and  I  am  ill- 
content  with  that.'  Then  said  Utgardi-Loki:  ^Now  I  will 
tell  thee  the  truth,  now  that  thou  art  come  out  of  the  castle; 
and  if  I  live  and  am  able  to  prevail,  then  thou  shalt  never 
again  come  into  it.  And  this  I  know,  by  my  troth!  that 
thou  shouldst  never  have  come  into  it,  if  I  had  known 
before  that  thou  haddest  so  much  strength  in  thee,  and 
that  thou  shouldst  so  nearly  have  had  us  in  great  peril.  But 
I  made  ready  against  thee  eye-illusions ;  and  I  came  upon 
you  the  first  time  in  the  wood,  and  when  thou  wouldst 
have  unloosed  the  provision-bag,  I  had  bound  it  with  iron, 
and  thou  didst  not  find  where  to  undo  it.  But  next  thou 
didst  smite  me  three  blows  with  the  hammer;  and  the  first 
was  least,  and  was  yet  so  great  that  it  would  have  sufficed 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  67 

to  slay  me,  if  it  had  come  upon  me.  Where  thou  sawest 
near  my  hall  a  saddle-backed  mountain,  cut  at  the  top  into 
three  square  dales,  and  one  the  deepest,  those  were  the  marks 
of  thy  hammer.  I  brought  the  saddle-back  before  the  blow, 
but  thou  didst  not  see  that.  So  it  was  also  with  the  games, 
in  which  ye  did  contend  against  my  henchmen:  that  was 
the  first,  which  Loki  did;  he  was  very  hungry  and  ate  zeal- 
ously, but  he  who  was  called  Logi  was  "wild-fire,"  and 
he  burned  the  trough  no  less  swiftly  than  the  meat.  But 
when  Thjalfi  ran  the  race  with  him  called  Hugi,  that  was 
my  "thought,"  and  it  was  not  to  be  expected  of  Thjalfi 
that  he  should  match  swiftness  with  it. 

"'Moreover,  when  thou  didst  drink  from  the  horn,  and 
it  seemed  to  thee  to  go  slowly,  then,  by  my  faith,  that  was 
a  wonder  which  I  should  not  have  believed  possible:  the 
other  end  of  the  horn  was  out  in  the  sea,  but  thou  didst  not 
perceive  it.  But  now,  when  thou  comest  to  the  sea,  thou 
shalt  be  able  to  mark  what  a  diminishing  thou  hast  drunk  in 
the  sea:  this  is  henceforth  called  "ebb-tides."' 

"And  again  he  said:  'It  seemed  to  me  not  less  note- 
worthy when  thou  didst  lift  up  the  cat;  and  to  tell  thee  truly, 
then  all  were  afraid  who  saw  how  thou  didst  lift  one  foot 
clear  of  the  earth.  That  cat  was  not  as  it  appeared  to  thee: 
it  was  the  Midgard  Serpent,  which  lies  about  all  the  land, 
and  scarcely  does  its  length  suffice  to  encompass  the  earth 
with  head  and  tail.  So  high  didst  thou  stretch  up  thine 
arms  that  it  was  then  but  a  little  way  more  to  heaven.  It  was 
also  a  great  marvel  concerning  the  wrestling-match,  when 
thou  didst  withstand  so  long,  and  didst  not  fall  more  than 
on  one  knee,  wrestling  with  Elli;  since  none  such  has  ever 
been  and  none  shall  be,  if  he  become  so  old  as  to  abide 
"Old  Age,"  that  she  shall  not  cause  him  to  fall.  And  now 


68  PROSE  EDDA 

it  is  truth  to  tell  that  we  must  part;  and  it  will  be  better  on 
both  sides  that  ye  never  come  again  to  seek  me.  Another 
time  I  will  defend  my  castle  with  similar  wiles  or  with 
others,  so  that  ye  shall  get  no  power  over  me.' 

"When  Thor  had  heard  these  sayings,  he  clutched  his 
hammer  and  brandished  it  aloft;  but  when  he  was  about 
to  launch  it  forward,  then  he  saw  Utgarda-Loki  nowhere. 
Then  he  turned  back  to  the  castle,  purposing  to  crush  it 
to  pieces;  and  he  saw  there  a  wide  and  fair  plain,  but  no 
castle.  So  he  turned  back  and  went  his  way,  till  he  was 
come  back  again  to  Thrudvangar.  But  it  is  a  true  tale  that 
then  he  resolved  to  seek  if  he  might  bring  about  a  meet- 
ing between  himself  and  the  Midgard  Serpent,  which  after- 
ward came  to  pass.  Now  I  think  no  one  knows  how  to  tell 
thee  more  truly  concerning  this  journey  of  Thor's." 

XLVIII.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Very  mighty  is  tJtgarda- 
Loki,  and  he  deals  much  in  wiles  and  in  magic;  and  his 
might  may  be  seen  in  that  he  had  such  henchmen  as  have 
great  prowess.  Now  did  Thor  ever  take  vengeance  for 
this?"  Harr  answered:  "It  is  not  unknown,  though  one 
be  not  a  scholar,  that  Thor  took  redress  for  this  journey 
of  which  the  tale  has  but  now  been  told;  and  he  did  not 
tarry  at  home  long  before  he  made  ready  for  his  journey 
so  hastily  that  he  had  with  him  no  chariot  and  no  he-goats 
and  no  retinue.  He  went  out  over  Midgard  in  the  guise  of 
a  young  lad,  and  came  one  evening  at  twilight  to  a  cer- 
tain giant's,  who  was  called  Hymir.  Thor  abode  as  guest 
there  overnight;  but  at  dawn  Hymir  arose  and  clothed  him- 
self and  made  ready  to  row  to  sea  a-fishing.  Then  Thor 
sprang  up  and  was  speedily  ready,  and  asked  Hymir  to  let 
him  row  to  sea  with  him.  But  Hymir  said  that  Thor  would 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  69 

be  of  little  help  to  him,  being  so  small  and  a  youth,  'And 
thou  wilt  freeze,  if  I  stay  so  long  and  so  far  out  as  I  am 
wont/  But  Thor  said  that  he  would  be  able  to  row  far  out 
from  land,  for  the  reason  that  it  was  not  certain  whether 
he  would  be  the  first  to  ask  to  row  back.  Thor  became  so 
enraged  at  the  giant  that  he  was  forthwith  ready  to  let  his 
hammer  crash  against  him;  but  he  forced  himself  to  for- 
bear, since  he  purposed  to  try  his  strength  in  another  quar- 
ter. He  asked  Hymir  what  they  should  have  for  bait,  but 
Hymir  bade  him  get  bait  for  himself.  Then  Thor  turned 
away  thither  where  he  saw  a  certain  herd  of  oxen,  which 
Hymir  owned;  he  took  the  largest  ox,  called  Himinbrjotr,' 
and  cut  off  its  head  and  went  therewith  to  the  sea.  By  that 
time  Hymir  had  shoved  out  the  boat. 

"Thor  went  aboard  the  skiff  and  sat  down  in  the  stern- 
seat,  took  two  oars  and  rowed;  and  it  seemed  to  Hymir 
that  swift  progress  came  of  his  rowing.  Hymir  rowed  for- 
ward in  the  bow,  and  the  rowing  proceeded  rapidly;  then 
Hymir  said  that  they  had  arrived  at  those  fishing-banks 
where  he  was  wont  to  anchor  and  angle  for  flat-fish.  But 
Thor  said  that  he  desired  to  row  much  farther,  and  they 
took  a  sharp  pull;  then  Hymir  said  that  they  had  come 
so  far  that  it  was  perilous  to  abide  out  farther  because  of 
the  Midgard  Serpent.  Thor  replied  that  they  would  row  a 
while  yet,  and  so  he  did;  but  Hymir  was  then  sore  afraid. 
Now  as  soon  as  Thor  had  laid  by  the  oars,  he  made  ready 
a  very  strong  fishing-line,  and  the  hook  was  no  less  large 
and  strong.  Then  Thor  put  the  ox-head  on  the  hook  and 
cast  it  overboard,  and  the  hook  went  to  the  bottom;  and  it 
is  telling  thee  the  truth  to  say  that  then  Thor  beguiled  the 
Midgard  Serpent  no  less  than  tJtgarda-Loki  had  mocked 

*  Heaven-bellowing  ? 


70  PROSE  EDDA 

Thor,  at  the  time  when  he  lifted  up  the  Serpent  in  his 
hand. 

"The  Midgard  Serpent  snapped  at  the  ox-head,  and  the 
hook  caught  in  its  jaw;  but  when  the  Serpent  was  aware 
of  this,  it  dashed  away  so  fiercely  that  both  Thor's  fists 
crashed  against  the  gunwale.  Then  Thor  was  angered, 
and  took  upon  him  his  divine  strength,  braced  his  feet  so 
strongly  that  he  plunged  through  the  ship  with  both  feet, 
and  dashed  his  feet  against  the  bottom;  then  he  drew  the 
Serpent  up  to  the  gunwale.  And  it  may  be  said  that  no  one 
has  seen  very  fearful  sights  who  might  not  see  that :  how 
Thor  flashed  fiery  glances  at  the  Serpent,  and  the  Serpent 
in  turn  stared  up  toward  him  from  below  and  blew  venom. 
Then,  it  is  said,  the  giant  Hymir  grew  pale,  became  yel- 
low, and  was  sore  afraid,  when  he  saw  the  Serpent,  and 
how  the  sea  rushed  out  and  in  through  the  boat.  In  the 
very  moment  when  Thor  clutched  his  hammer  and  raised 
it  on  high,  then  the  giant  fumbled  for  his  fish-knife  and 
hacked  off"  Thor's  line  at  the  gunwale,  and  the  Serpent 
sank  down  into  the  sea.  Thor  hurled  his  hammer  after  it; 
and  men  say  that  he  struck  off  its  head  against  the  bottom; 
but  I  think  it  were  true  to  tell  thee  that  the  Midgard  Ser- 
pent yet  lives  and  lies  in  the  encompassing  sea.  But  Thor 
swung  his  fist  and  brought  it  against  Hymir's  ear,  so  that 
he  plunged  overboard,  and  Thor  saw  the  soles  of  his  feet. 
And  Thor  waded  to  land." 

XLIX.  Then  spake  Gangleri :  "  Have  any  more  matters 
of  note  befallen  among  the  ^sir?  A  very  great  deed  of 
valor  did  Thor  achieve  on  that  journey."  Harr  made  an- 
swer: "Now  shall  be  told  of  those  tidings  which  seemed 
of  more  consequence  to  the  /Esir.  The  beginning  of  the 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  71 

story  is  this,  that  Baldr  the  Good  dreamed  great  and  peril- 
ous dreams  touching  his  life.  When  he  told  these  dreams 
to  the  i^sir,  then  they  took  counsel  together:  and  this 
was  their  decision:  to  ask  safety  for  Baldr  from  all  kinds 
of  dangers.  And  Frigg  took  oaths  to  this  purport,  that 
fire  and  water  should  spare  Baldr,  likewise  iron  and  metal 
of  all  kinds,  stones,  earth,  trees,  sicknesses,  beasts,  birds, 
venom,  serpents.  And  when  that  was  done  and  made 
known,  then  it  was  a  diversion  of  Baldr's  and  the  iEsir, 
that  he  should  stand  up  in  the  Thing,'  and  all  the  others 
should  some  shoot  at  him,  some  hew  at  him,  some  beat 
him  with  stones;  but  whatsoever  was  done  hurt  him  not 
at  all,  and  that  seemed  to  them  all  a  very  worshipful  thing. 

"But  when  Loki  Laufeyarson  saw  this,  it  pleased  him 
ill  that  Baldr  took  no  hurt.  He  went  to  Fensalir  to  Frigg, 
and  made  himself  into  the  likeness  of  a  woman.  Then 
Frigg  asked  if  that  woman  knew  what  the  yEsir  did  at  the 
Thing.  She  said  that  all  were  shooting  at  Baldr,  and  more- 
over, that  he  took  no  hurt.  Then  said  Frigg:  'Neither 
weapons  nor  trees  may  hurt  Baldr:  I  have  taken  oaths  of 
them  all.'  Then  the  woman  asked:  'Have  all  things  taken 
oaths  to  spare  Baldr?'  and  Frigg  answered:  'There  grows 
a  tree-sprout  alone  westward  of  Valhall:  it  is  called  Mis- 
tletoe; I  thought  it  too  young  to  ask  the  oath  of.'  Then 
straightway  the  woman  turned  away;  but  Loki  took  Mis- 
tletoe and  pulled  it  up  and  went  to  the  Thing. 

"Hodr  stood  outside  the  ring  of  men,  because  he  was 
blind.  Then  spake  Loki  to  him:  'Why  dost  thou  not  shoot 
at  Baldr?'  He  answered:  'Because  I  see  not  where  Baldr 


^  The  Thing  was  the  legislative  assembly  of  Iceland  ;  less  specifically,  a  formal 
assembly  held  for  judicial  purposes  or  to  settle  questions  of  moment  j  an  as- 
sembly of  men. 


72  PROSE  EDDA 

is;  and  for  this  also,  that  I  am  weaponless.'  Then  said 
Loki:  'Do  thou  also  after  the  manner  of  other  men,  and 
show  Baldr  honor  as  the  other  men  do.  I  will  direct  thee 
where  he  stands;  shoot  at  him  with  this  wand.'  Hodr  took 
Mistletoe  and  shot  at  Baldr,  being  guided  by  Loki:  the 
shaft  flew  through  Baldr,  and  he  fell  dead  to  the  earth;  and 
that  was  the  greatest  mischance  that  has  ever  befallen 
among  gods  and  men. 

"Then, when  Baldr  was  fallen, words  failed  all  the^Esir, 
and  their  hands  likewise  to  lay  hold  of  him;  each  looked 
at  the  other,  and  all  were  of  one  mind  as  to  him  who  had 
wrought  the  work,  but  none  might  take  vengeance, so  great 
a  sanctuary  was  in  that  place.  But  when  the  JEs'ir  tried  to 
speak,  then  it  befell  first  that  weeping  broke  out,  so  that 
none  might  speak  to  the  others  with  words  concerning  his 
grief.  But  Odin  bore  that  misfortune  by  so  much  the  worst, 
as  he  had  most  perception  of  how  great  harm  and  loss  for 
the  iEsir  were  in  the  death  of  Baldr. 

"Now  when  the  gods  had  come  to  themselves,  Frigg 
spake,  and  asked  who  there  might  be  among  the  ^Esir  who 
would  fain  have  for  his  own  all  her  love  and  favor:  let  him 
ride  the  road  to  Hel,  and  seek  if  he  may  find  Baldr,and  ofi^er 
Hel  a  ransom  if  she  will  let  Baldr  come  home  to  Asgard. 
And  heisnamedHermodr  the  Bold,  Odin's  son,  who  under- 
took that  embassy.  Then  Sleipnir  was  taken,  Odin's  steed, 
and  led  forward;  and  Hermodr  mounted  on  that  horse  and 
galloped  ofF. 

"The  ^sir  took  the  body  of  Baldr  and  brought  it  to  the 
sea.  Hringhorni  is  the  name  of  Baldr's  ship :  it  was  great- 
est of  all  ships;  the  gods  would  have  launched  it  and  made 
Baldr's  pyre  thereon,  but  the  ship  stirred  not  forward. 
Then  word  was  sent  to  Jotunheim  after  that  giantess  who 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  73 

is  called  Hyrrokkin.  When  she  had  come,  riding  a  wolf 
and  having  a  viper  for  bridle, then  she  leaped  ofFthe  steed; 
and  Odin  called  to  four  berserks  to  tend  the  steed;  but 
they  were  not  able  to  hold  it  until  they  had  felled  it.  Then 
Hyrrokkin  went  to  the  prow  of  the  boat  and  thrust  it  out 
at  the  first  push,  so  that  fire  burst  from  the  rollers,  and  all 
lands  trembled.  Thor  became  angry  and  clutched  his  ham- 
mer, and  would  straightway  have  broken  her  head,  had  not 
the  gods  prayed  for  peace  for  her. 

"Then  was  the  body  of  Baldr  borne  out  on  shipboard; 
and  when  his  wife,  Nanna  the  daughter  of  Nep,  saw  that, 
straightway  her  heart  burst  with  grief,  and  she  died;  she 
was  borne  to  the  pyre,  and  fire  was  kindled.  Then  Thor 
stood  by  and  hallowed  the  pyre  with  MjoUnir;  and  before 
his  feet  ran  a  certain  dwarf  which  was  named  Litr;  Thor 
kicked  at  him  with  his  foot  and  thrust  him  into  the  fire, 
and  he  burned.  People  of  many  races  visited  this  burn- 
ing: First  is  to  be  told  of  Odin,  how  Frigg  and  the  Val- 
kyrs went  with  him,  and  his  ravens;  but  Freyr  drove  in 
his  chariot  with  the  boar  called  Gold-Mane,  or  Fearful- 
Tusk,  and  Heimdallr  rode  the  horse  called  Gold-Top,  and 
Freyja  drove  her  cats.  Thither  came  also  much  people  of 
the  Rime-Giants  and  the  Hill-Giants.  Odin  laid  on  the 
pyre  that  gold  ring  which  is  called  Draupnir;  this  quality 
attended  it,  that  every  ninth  night  there  dropped  from  it 
eight  gold  rings  of  equal  weight.  Baldr's  horse  was  led  to 
the  bale-fire  with  all  his  trappings. 

"Now  this  is  to  be  told  concerning  Hermodr,  that  he 
rode  nine  nights  through  dark  dales  and  deep,  so  that  he 
saw  not  before  he  was  come  to  the  river  Gjoll  and  rode 
onto  the  Gjoll- Bridge;  which  bridge  is  thatched  with  glit- 
tering gold.  Modgudr  is  the  maiden  called  who  guards  the 


74  PROSE  EDDA 

bridge;  she  asked  him  his  name  and  race,  saying  that  the 
day  before  there  had  ridden  over  the  bridge  five  companies 
of  dead  men;  'but  the  bridge  thunders  no  less  under  thee 
alone,  and  thou  hast  not  the  color  of  dead  men.  Why 
ridest  thou  hither  on  Hel-way?'  He  answered:  'I  am  ap- 
pointed to  ride  to  Hel  to  seek  out  Baldr.  Hast  thou  per- 
chance seen  Baldr  on  Hel-way?'  She  said  that  Baldr  had 
ridden  there  over  Gjoll's  Bridge, — 'but  down  and  north 
lieth  Hel-way.' 

"Then  Hermodr  rode  on  till  he  came  to  Hel-gate; 
he  dismounted  from  his  steed  and  made  his  girths  fast, 
mounted  and  pricked  him  with  his  spurs;  and  the  steed 
leaped  so  hard  over  the  gate  that  he  came  nowise  near  to 
it.  Then  Hermodr  rode  home  to  the  hall  and  dismounted 
from  his  steed,  went  into  the  hall,  and  saw  sitting  there 
in  the  high-seat  Baldr,  his  brother;  and  Hermodr  tarried 
there  overnight.  At  morn  Hermodr  prayed  Hel  that  Baldr 
might  ride  home  with  him,  and  told  her  how  great  weep- 
ing was  among  the  iEsir.  But  Hel  said  that  in  this  wise 
it  should  be  put  to  the  test,  whether  Baldr  were  so  all-be- 
loved as  had  been  said:  'If  all  things  in  the  world,  quick 
and  dead,  weep  for  him,  then  he  shall  go  back  to  the  JEs'iVy 
but  he  shall  remain  with  Hel  if  any  gainsay  it  or  will  not 
weep.'  Then  Hermodr  arose;  but  Baldr  led  him  out  of 
the  hall,  and  took  the  ring  Draupnir  and  sent  it  to  Odin 
for  a  remembrance.  And  Nanna  sent  Frigg  a  linen  smock, 
and  yet  more  gifts,  and  to  Fulla  a  golden  finger-ring. 

"Then  Hermodr  rode  his  way  back,  and  came  into 
Asgard,  and  told  all  those  tidings  which  he  had  seen  and 
heard.  Thereupon  the  i^sir  sent  over  all  the  world  mes- 
sengers to  pray  that  Baldr  be  wept  out  of  Hel;  and  all 
men  did  this,  and  quick  things,  and  the  earth,  and  stones, 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  75 

and  trees,  and  all  metals, — even  as  thou  must  have  seen 
that  these  things  weep  when  they  come  out  of  frost  and 
into  the  heat.  Then,  when  the  messengers  went  home, 
having  well  wrought  their  errand,  they  found,  in  a  cer- 
tain cave,  where  a  giantess  sat :  she  called  herself  Thokk. 
They  prayed  her  to  weep  Baldr  out  of  Hel  j  she  answered: 

Thokk  will  weep         waterless  tears 

For  Baldr's  bale- fare; 
Living  or  dead,         I  loved  not  the  churl's  son; 

Let  Hel  hold  to  that  she  hath ! 

And  men  deem  that  she  who  was  there  was  Loki  Laufey- 
arson,  who  hath  wrought  most  ill  among  the  iEsir." 

L.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "Exceeding  much  Loki  had 
brought  to  pass,  when  he  had  first  been  cause  that  Baldr 
was  slain,  and  then  that  he  was  not  redeemed  out  of  Hel. 
Was  any  vengeance  taken  on  him  for  this?"  Harr  an- 
swered: "This  thing  was  repaid  him  in  such  wise  that  he 
shall  remember  it  long.  When  the  gods  had  become  as 
wroth  with  him  as  was  to  be  looked  for,  he  ran  ofF  and 
hid  himself  in  a  certain  mountain ;  there  he  made  a  house 
with  four  doors,  so  that  he  could  see  out  of  the  house  in 
all  directions.  Often  throughout  the  day  he  turned  him- 
self into  the  likeness  of  a  salmon  and  hid  himself  in  the 
place  called  Franangr-Falls ;  then  he  would  ponder  what 
manner  of  wile  the  gods  would  devise  to  take  him  in  the 
water-fall.  But  when  he  sat  in  the  house,  he  took  twine 
of  linen  and  knitted  meshes  as  a  net  is  made  since;  but  a 
fire  burned  before  him.  Then  he  saw  that  the  ^sir  were 
close  upon  him;  and  Odin  had  seen  from  Hlidskjalf  where 


76  PROSE  EDDA 

he  was.  He  leaped  up  at  once  and  out  into  the  river,  but 
cast  the  net  into  the  fire. 

"When  the^Esir  had  come  to  the  house,  he  went  in  first 
who  was  wisest  of  all,  who  is  called  Kvasir;  and  when  he 
saw  in  the  fire  the  white  ash  where  the  net  had  burned, 
then  he  perceived  that  that  thing  must  be  a  device  for 
catching  fish,  and  told  it  to  the  iEsir.  Straightway  they 
took  hold,  and  made  themselves  a  net  after  the  pattern  of 
the  one  which  they  perceived,  by  the  burnt-out  ashes,  that 
Loki  had  made.  When  the  net  was  ready,  then  the  ^sir 
went  to  the  river  and  cast  the  net  into  the  fall;  Thor 
held  one  end  of  the  net,  and  all  of  the  ^Esir  held  the  other, 
and  they  drew  the  net.  But  Loki  darted  ahead  and  lay 
down  between  two  stones;  they  drew  the  net  over  him, 
and  perceived  that  something  living  was  in  front  of  it. 
A  second  time  they  went  up  to  the  fall  and  cast  out  the 
net,  having  bound  it  to  something  so  heavy  that  nothing 
should  be  able  to  pass  under  it.  Then  Loki  swam  ahead 
of  the  net;  but  when  he  saw  that  it  was  but  a  short  dis- 
tance to  the  sea,  then  he  jumped  up  over  the  net-rope  and 
ran  into  the  fall.  Now  the  ^Esir  saw  where  he  went,  and 
went  up  again  to  the  fall  and  divided  the  company  into 
two  parts,  but  Thor  waded  along  in  mid-stream;  and  so 
they  went  out  toward  the  sea.  Now  Loki  saw  a  choice 
of  two  courses:  it  was  a  mortal  peril  to  dash  out  into  the 
sea;  but  this  was  the  second — to  leap  over  the  net  again. 
And  so  he  did :  he  leaped  as  swiftly  as  he  could  over  the 
net-cord.  Thor  clutched  at  him  and  got  hold  of  him,  and 
he  slipped  in  Thor's  hand,  so  that  the  hand  stopped  at 
the  tail;  and  for  this  reason  the  salmon  has  a  tapering 
back. 

"Now  Loki  was  taken  truceless,  and  was  brought  with 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  77 

them  into  a  certain  cave.  Thereupon  they  took  three  flat 
stones,  and  set  them  on  edge  and  drilled  a  hole  in  each 
stone.  Then  were  taken  Loki's  sons,  Vali  and  Nari  or 
Narfi;  the  iEsir  changed  Vali  into  the  form  of  a  wolf,  and 
he  tore  asunder  Narfi  his  brother.  And  the  i^sir  took  his 
entrails  and  bound  Loki  with  them  over  the  three  stones: 
one  stands  under  his  shoulders, the  second  under  his  loins, 
the  third  under  his  houghs;  and  those  bonds  were  turned  to 
iron.  Then  Skadi  took  a  venomous  serpent  and  fastened 
it  up  over  him,  so  that  the  venom  should  drip  from  the 
serpent  into  his  face.  But  Sigyn,  his  wife,  stands  near  him 
and  holds  a  basin  under  the  venom-drops;  and  when  the 
basin  is  full,  she  goes  and  pours  out  the  venom,  but  in  the 
meantime  the  venom  drips  into  his  face.  Then  he  writhes 
against  it  with  such  force  that  all  the  earth  trembles: 
ye  call  that  'earthquakes.'  There  he  lies  in  bonds  till  the 
Weird  of  the  Gods." 

LI.  Then  said  Gangleri:  "What  tidings  are  to  be  told 
concerning  the  Weird  of  the  Gods?  Never  before  have  I 
heard  aught  said  of  this."  Harr  answered:  "Great  tidings 
are  to  be  told  of  it,  and  much.  The  first  is  this,  that  there 
shall  come  that  winter  which  is  called  the  Awful  Winter: 
in  that  time  snow  shall  drive  from  all  quarters;  frosts  shall 
be  great  then,  and  winds  sharp;  there  shall  be  no  virtue  in 
the  sun.  Those  winters  shall  proceed  three  in  succession, 
and  no  summer  between;  but  first  shall  come  three  other 
winters,  such  that  over  all  the  world  there  shall  be  mighty 
battles.  In  that  time  brothers  shall  slay  each  other  for  greed's 
sake,  and  none  shall  spare  father  or  son  in  manslaughter 
and  in  incest;  so  it  says  in  Vbluspd: 


78  PROSE  EDDA 

Brothers  shall  strive         and  slaughter  each  other; 

Own  sisters'  children         shall  sin  together; 

111  days  among  men,         many  a  whoredom: 

An  axe-age,  a  sword-age,         shields  shall  be  cloven; 

A  wind-age,  a  wolf-age,        ere  the  world  totters. 

Then  shall  happen  what  seems  great  tidings:  the  Wolf 
shall  swallow  the  sun;  and  this  shall  seem  to  men  a  great 
harm.  Then  the  other  wolf  shall  seize  the  moon,  and  he 
also  shall  work  great  ruin ;  the  stars  shall  vanish  from  the 
heavens.  Then  shall  come  to  pass  these  tidings  also:  all 
the  earth  shall  tremble  so,  and  the  crags,  that  trees  shall 
be  torn  up  from  the  earth,  and  the  crags  fall  to  ruin ;  and 
all  fetters  and  bonds  shall  be  broken  and  rent.  Then  shall 
Fenris-Wolf  get  loose;  then  the  sea  shall  gush  forth  upon 
the  land,  because  the  Midgard  Serpent  stirs  in  giant  wrath 
and  advances  up  onto  the  land.  Then  that  too  shall  hap- 
pen, that  Naglfar  shall  be  loosened,  the  ship  which  is  so 
named.  (It  is  made  of  dead  men's  nails;  wherefore  a  warn- 
ing is  desirable,  that  if  a  man  die  with  unshorn  nails,  that 
man  adds  much  material  to  the  ship  Naglfar,  which  gods 
and  men  were  fain  to  have  finished  late.)  Yet  in  this  sea- 
flood  Naglfar  shall  float.  Hrymr  is  the  name  of  the  giant 
who  steers  Naglfar.  Fenris-Wolf  shall  advance  with  gap- 
ing mouth,  and  his  lower  jaw  shall  be  against  the  earth, 
but  the  upper  against  heaven, — he  would  gape  yet  more 
if  there  were  room  for  it ;  fires  blaze  from  his  eyes  and  nos- 
trils. The  Midgard  Serpent  shall  blow  venom  so  that  he 
shall  sprinkle  all  the  air  and  water;  and  he  is  very  terri- 
ble, and  shall  be  on  one  side  of  the  Wolf.  In  this  din  shall 
the  heaven  be  cloven,  and  the  Sons  of  Miispell  ride  thence : 
Surtr  shall  ride  first,  and  both  before  him  and  after  him 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  79 

burning  fire;  his  sword  is  exceeding  good:  from  it  radiance 
shines  brighter  than  from  the  sun;  when  they  ride  over  Bi- 
frost,  then  the  bridge  shall  break,  as  has  been  told  before. 
The  Sons  of  Miispell  shall  go  forth  to  that  field  which  is 
called  Vigridr;  thither  shall  come  Fenris-Wolf  also  and  the 
Midgard  Serpent;  then  Loki  and  Hrymr  shall  come  there 
also,  and  with  him  all  the  Rime-Giants.  All  the  cham- 
pions of  Hel  follow  Loki;  and  the  Sons  of  Miispell  shall 
have  a  company  by  themselves,  and  it  shall  be  very  bright. 
The  field  Vigridr  is  a  hundred  leagues  wide  each  way. 

"When  these  tidings  come  to  pass,  then  shall  Heim- 
dallr  rise  up  and  blow  mightily  in  the  Gjallar-Horn,  and 
awaken  all  the  gods;  and  they  shall  hold  council  together. 
Then  Odin  shall  ride  to  Mimir's  Well  and  take  counsel 
of  Mimir  for  himself  and  his  host.  Then  the  Ash  of  Ygg- 
drasill  shall  tremble,  and  nothing  then  shall  be  without  fear 
in  heaven  or  in  earth.  Then  shall  the  iEsir  put  on  their 
war-weeds,  and  all  the  Champions,  and  advance  to  the 
field:  Odin  rides  first  with  the  gold  helmet  and  a  fair  birnie, 
and  his  spear,  which  is  called  Gungnir.  He  shall  go  forth 
against  Fenris-Wolf,  and  Thor  stands  forward  on  his  other 
side,  and  can  be  of  no  avail  to  him,  because  he  shall  have 
his  hands  full  to  fight  against  the  Midgard  Serpent.  Freyr 
shall  contend  with  Surtr,  and  a  hard  encounter  shall  there 
be  between  them  before  Freyr  falls:  it  is  to  be  his  death 
that  he  lacks  that  good  sword  of  his,  which  he  gave  to 
Skirnir.  Then  shall  the  dog  Garmr  be  loosed,  which  is 
bound  before  Gnipa's  Cave:  he  is  the  greatest  monster; 
he  shall  do  battle  with  Tyr,  and  each  become  the  other's 
slayer.  Thor  shall  put  to  death  the  Midgard  Serpent,  and 
shall  stride  away  nine  paces  from  that  spot;  then  shall  he 
fall  dead  to  the  earth,  because  of  the  venom  which  the 


8o  PROSE  EDDA 

Snake  has  blown  at  him.  The  Wolf  shall  swallow  Odin; 
that  shall  be  his  ending  But  straight  thereafter  shall  Vidarr 
stride  forth  and  set  one  foot  upon  the  lower  jaw  of  the 
Wolf:  on  that  foot  he  has  the  shoe,  materials  for  which 
have  been  gathering  throughout  all  time.  (They  are  the 
scraps  of  leather  which  men  cut  out  of  their  shoes  at  toe 
or  heel;  therefore  he  who  desires  in  his  heart  to  come  to 
the  iEsir's  help  should  cast  those  scraps  away.)  With  one 
hand  he  shall  seize  the  Wolf's  upper  jaw  and  tear  his  gullet 
asunder;  and  that  is  the  death  of  the  Wolf.  Loki  shall  have 
battle  with  Heimdallr,  and  each  be  the  slayer  of  the  other. 
Then  straightway  shall  Surtr  cast  fire  over  the  earth  and 
burn  all  the  world;  so  is  said  in  Voluspa: 

High  blows  Heimdallr,         the  horn  is  aloft; 
Odin  communes         with  Mimir's  head; 
Trembles  Yggdrasill's         towering  Ash-, 
The  old  tree  wails         when  the  Ettin  is  loosed. 

What  of  the  iEsir?         What  of  the  Elf-folk? 
All  Jotunheim  echoes,         the  ^sir  are  at  council; 
The  dwarves  are  groaning         before  their  stone  doors, 
Wise  in  rock-walls;         wit  ye  yet,  or  what? 

Hrymr  sails  from  the  east,        the  sea  floods  onward; 
The  monstrous  Beast         twists  in  mighty  wrath; 
The  Snake  beats  the  waves,         the  Eagle  is  screaming; 
The  gold-neb  tears  corpses,         Naglfar  is  loosed. 

From  the  east  sails  the  keel;         come  now  MuspeU's  folk 
Over  the  sea-waves,         and  Loki  steereth; 
There  are  the  warlocks         all  with  the  Wolf, — 
With  them  is  the  brother        of  Byleistr  faring. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  8i 

Surtr  fares  from  southward         with  switch-eating  flame; 
On  his  sword  shimmers         the  sun  of  the  war-gods; 
The  rocks  are  falling,         and  fiends  are  reeling, 
Heroes  tread  Hel-way,        heaven  is  cloven. 

Then  to  the  Goddess         a  second  grief  cometh, 
When  Odin  fares         to  fight  with  the  Wolf, 
And  Beli's  slayer,         the  bright  god,  with  Surtr; 
There  must  fall         Frigg's  beloved. 

Odin's  son  goeth         to  strife  with  the  Wolf, — 
Vidarr,  speeding        to  meet  the  slaughter-beast; 
The  sword  in  his  hand         to  the  heart  he  thrusteth 
Of  the  fiend's  offspring;         avenged  is  his  Father. 

Now  goeth  Hlodyn's        glorious  son 
Not  in  flight  from  the  Serpent,         of  fear  unheeding; 
All  the  earth's  offspring         must  empty  the  homesteads, 
When  furiously  smiteth         Midgard's  defender. 

The  sun  shall  be  darkened,        earth  sinks  in  the  sea, — 
Glide  from  the  heaven         the  glittering  stars; 
Smoke- reek  rages         and  reddening  fire: 
The  high  heat  licks         against  heaven  itself. 

And  here  it  says  yet  so: 

Vigridr  hight  the  field         where  in  fight  shall  meet 

Surtr  and  the  cherished  gods; 
An  hundred  leagues         it  has  on  each  side: 

Unto  them  that  field  is  fated." 

LII.  Then  said   Gangleri:   "What  shall   come  to  pass 


82  PROSE  EDDA 

afterward,  when  all  the  world  is  burned,  and  dead  are  all 
the  gods  and  all  the  champions  and  all  mankind?  Have 
ye  not  said  before,  that  every  man  shall  Hve  in  some  world 
throughout  all  ages?"  Then  Thridi  answered:  "In  that 
time  the  good  abodes  shall  be  many,  and  many  the  ill; 
then  it  shall  be  best  to  be  in  Gimle  in  Heaven.  Moreover, 
there  is  plenteous  abundance  of  good  drink,  for  them  that 
esteem  that  a  pleasure,  in  the  hall  which  is  called  Brimir: 
it  stands  in  Okolnir.  That  too  is  a  good  hall  which  stands 
in  Nida  Fells,  made  of  red  gold ;  its  name  is  Sindri.  In  these 
halls  shall  dwell  good  men  and  pure  in  heart. 

"On  Nastrand^  is  a  great  hall  and  evil,  and  its  doors  face 
to  the  north:  it  is  all  woven  of  serpent-backs  like  a  wattle- 
house;  and  all  the  snake-heads  turn  into  the  house  and  blow 
venom,  so  that  along  the  hall  run  rivers  of  venom;  and  they 
who  have  broken  oaths,  and  murderers,  wade  those  rivers, 
even  as  it  says  here: 

I  know  a  hall  standing         far  from  the  sun. 
In  Nastrand:  the  doors         to  northward  are  turned; 
Venom-drops  fall         down  from  the  roof-holes; 
That  hall  is  bordered         with  backs  of  serpents. 

There  are  doomed  to  wade         the  weltering  streams 
Men  that  are  mans  worn,         and  they  that  murderers  are. 

But  it  is  worst  in  Hvergelmir: 

There  the  cursed  snake         tears  dead  men's  corpses." 

LIII.  Then  spake  Gangleri:  "Shall  any  of  the  gods  live 

^  Strand  of  the  Dead. 


THE  BEGUILING  OF  GYLFI  83 

then,  or  shall  there  be  then  any  earth  or  heaven?"  Harr 
answered:  "In  that  time  the  earth  shall  emerge  out  of  the 
sea,  and  shall  then  be  green  and  fair;  then  shall  the  fruits 
of  it  be  brought  forth  unsown.  Vidarr  and  Vali  shall  be 
living,  inasmuch  as  neither  sea  nor  the  fire  of  Surtr  shall 
have  harmed  them;  and  they  shall  dwell  at  Ida-Plain, where 
Asgard  was  before.  And  then  the  sons  of  Thor,  Modi  and 
Magni, shall  come  there,and  they  shall  have  MjoUnir  there. 
After  that  Baldr  shall  come  thither,  and  Hodr,  from  Hel; 
then  all  shall  sit  down  together  and  hold  speech  with  one 
another,  and  call  to  mind  their  secret  wisdom,  and  speak 
of  those  happenings  which  have  been  before:  of  the  Mid- 
gard  Serpent  and  of  Fenris-Wolf.  Then  they  shall  find 
in  the  grass  those  golden  chess-piecesjvh.irh  the^  /psir  had 
had;  thus  is  it  said:  " 

In  the  deities'  shrines         shall  dwell  Vidarr  and  Vali, 
When  the  Fire  of  Surtr  is  slackened; 

Modi  and  Magni         shall  have  Mjollnir 
At  the  ceasing  of  Thor's  strife. 

In  the  place  called  Hoddmimir's  Holt  there  shall  lie  hidden 
during  the  Fire  of  Surtr  two  of  mankind,  who  are  called 
thus:  Lif  and  Lifthrasir,  and  for  food  they  shall  have  the 
morning-dews.  From  these  folk  shall  come  so  numerous 
an  offspring  that  all  the  world  shall  be  peopled,  even  as  is 
said  here: 

Lif  and  Lifthrasir,        these  shall  lurk  hidden 

In  the  Holt  of  Hoddmimir; 
The  morning  dews         their  meat  shall  be; 

Thence  are  gendered  the  generations. 


84  PROSE  EDDA 

And  it  may  seem  wonderful  to  thee,  that  the  sun  shall  have 
borne  a  daughter  not  less  fair  than  herself;  and  the  daughter 
shall  then  tread  in  the  steps  of  her  mother,  as  is  said  here : 

The  Elfin-beam         shall  bear  a  daughter. 
Ere  Fenris  drags  her  forth; 

That  maid  shall  go,  when  the  great  gods  die, 
To  ride  her  mother's  road. 

But  now,  if  thou  art  able  to  ask  yet  further,  then  indeed 
I  know  not  whence  answer  shall  come  to  thee,  for  I  never 
heard  any  man  tell  forth  at  greater  length  the  course  of 
the  world;  and  now  avail  thyself  of  that  which  thou  hast 
heard." 

LIV.  Thereupon  Gangleri  heard  great  noises  on  every  side 
of  him;  and  then,  when  he  had  looked  about  him  more, 
lo,  he  stood  out  of  doors  on  a  level  plain,  and  saw  no  hall 
there  and  no  castle.  Then  he  went  his  way  forth  and  came 
home  into  his  kingdom,  and  told  those  tidings  which  he  had 
seen  and  heard;  and  after  him  each  man  told  these  tales 
to  the  other. 


\^Here  PVilken  closes  his  edition;  ^onsson  adtnits  the  following : 

But  the  i^sir  sat  them  down  to  speak  together,  and  took 
counsel  and  recalled  all  these  tales  which  had  been  told 
to  him.  And  they  gave  these  same  names  that  were  named 
before  to  those  men  and  places  that  were  there,  to  the 
end  that  when  long  ages  should  have  passed  away,  men 
should  not  doubt  thereof,  that  those  iEsir  that  were  but 
now  spoken  of,  and  these  to  whom  the  same  names  were 
then  given,  were  all  one.  There  Thor  was  so  named,  and 
he  is  the  old  Asa-Thor. 

All  reject  what  follows : 

He  is  Oku-Thor,  and  to  him  are  ascribed  those  mighty 
works  which  Hector  wrought  in  Troy.  But  this  is  the 
belief  of  men:  that  the  Turks  told  of  Ulysses,  and  called 
him  Loki,  for  the  Turks  were  his  greatest  foes.] 


skaldskaparmAl 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS' 

I.  A  certain  man  was  named  iEgir,  or  Hler.  He  dwelt  on 
the  island  which  is  now  called  Hler's  Isle,^  and  was  deeply 
versed  in  black  magic.  He  took  his  way  to  Asgard,  but  the 
iEsir  had  foreknowledge  of  his  journey ;  he  was  received 
with  good  cheer,  and  yet  many  things  were  done  by  de- 
ceit, with  eye-illusions.  And  at  evening,  when  it  was  time 
for  drinking,  Odin  had  swords  brought  into  the  hall,  so 
bright  that  light  radiated  from  them :  and  other  illumina- 
tion was  not  used  while  they  sat  at  drinking.  Then  the 
iEsir  came  in  to  their  banquet,  and  in  the  high-seats  sat 
them  down  those  twelve  ^sir  who  were  appointed  to  be 
judges;  these  were  their  names:  Thor,  Njordr,  Freyr, 
Tyr,  Heimdallr,  Bragi,  Vidarr,  Vali,  Ullr,  Hoenir,  Forseti, 
Loki;  and  in  like  manner  the  Asynjur:  Frigg,  Freyja, 
Gefjun,  Idunn,  Gerdr,Sigyn,  Fulla,  Nanna.  It  seemed  glo- 
rious to  ^gir  to  look  about  him  in  the  hall:  the  wain- 
scottings  there  were  all  hung  with  fair  shields;  there  was 
also  stinging  mead, copiously  quaffed.  The  man  seated  next 
to  JEgir  was  Bragi,  and  they  took  part  together  in  drink- 
ing and  in  converse:  Bragi  told  ^Egir  of  many  things  which 
had  come  to  pass  among  the  iEsir. 

He  began  the  story  at  the  point  where  three  of  the 
iEsir,  Odin  and  Loki  and  Hoenir,  departed  from  home 
and  were  wandering  over  mountains  and  wastes,  and  food 
was  hard  to  find.  But  when  they  came  down  into  a  cer- 
tain dale,  they  saw  a  herd  of  oxen,  took  one  ox,  and  set 
about  cooking  it.  Now  when  they  thought  that  it  must  be 
cooked,  they  broke  up  the  fire,  and  it  was  not  cooked. 
After  a  while  had  passed,  they  having  scattered  the  fire  a 

*  Usually  translated  "Poetical  Diction.'*  ^  Now  Laess0. 


90  PROSE  EDDA 

second  time,  and  it  was  not  cooked,  they  took  counsel  to- 
gether, asking  each  other  what  it  might  mean.  Then  they 
heard  a  voice  speaking  in  the  oak  up  above  them,  declar- 
ing that  he  who  sat  there  confessed  he  had  caused  the  lack 
of  virtue  in  the  fire.  They  looked  thither,  and  there  sat  an 
eagle;  and  it  was  no  small  one.  Then  the  eagle  said:  "If 
ye  are  willing  to  give  me  my  fill  of  the  ox,  then  it  will 
cook  in  the  fire."  They  assented  to  this.  Then  he  let  him- 
self float  down  from  the  tree  and  alighted  by  the  fire,  and 
forthwith  at  the  very  first  took  unto  himself  the  two  hams 
of  the  ox,  and  both  shoulders.  Then  Loki  was  angered, 
snatched  up  a  great  pole,  brandished  it  with  all  his  strength, 
and  drove  it  at  the  eagle's  body.  The  eagle  plunged  vio- 
lently at  the  blow  and  flew  up,  so  that  the  pole  was  fast 
to  the  eagle's  back,  and  Loki's  hands  to  the  other  end  of 
the  pole.  The  eagle  flew  at  such  a  height  that  Loki's  feet 
down  below  knocked  against  stones  and  rock-heaps  and 
trees,  and  he  thought  his  arms  would  be  torn  from  his 
shoulders.  He  cried  aloud,  entreating  the  eagle  urgently 
for  peace;  but  the  eagle  declared  that  Loki  should  never 
be  loosed,  unless  he  would  give  him  his  oath  to  induce 
Idunn  to  come  out  of  Asgard  with  her  apples.  Loki  as- 
sented, and  being  straightway  loosed,  went  to  his  com- 
panions; nor  for  that  time  are  any  more  things  reported 
concerning  their  journey,  until  they  had  come  home. 

But  at  the  appointed  time  Loki  lured  Idunn  out  of  As- 
gard into  a  certain  wood,  saying  that  he  had  found  such 
apples  as  would  seem  to  her  of  great  virtue,  and  prayed 
that  she  would  have  her  apples  with  her  and  compare  them 
with  these.  Then  Thjazi  the  giant  came  there  in  his  eagle's 
plumage  and  took  Idunn  and  flew  away  with  her,  off  into 
Thrymheimr  to  his  abode. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  91 

But  the  ^sir  became  straitened  at  the  disappearance  of 
Idunn,and  speedily  they  became  hoary  and  old.  Then  those 
iEsir  took  counsel  together,  and  each  asked  the  other  what 
had  last  been  known  of  Idunn;  and  the  last  that  had  been 
seen  was  that  she  had  gone  out  of  Asgard  with  Loki.  There- 
upon Loki  was  seized  and  brought  to  the  Thing,  and  was 
threatened  with  death,  or  tortures;  when  he  had  become 
well  frightened,  he  declared  that  he  would  seek  after  Idunn 
in  Jotunheim,  if  Freyja  would  lend  him  the  hawk's  plum- 
age which  she  possessed.  And  when  he  got  the  hawk's 
plumage,  he  flew  north  into  Jotunheim,  and  came  on  a  cer- 
tain day  to  the  home  of  Thjazi  the  giant.  Thjazi  had  rowed 
out  to  sea,  but  Idunn  was  at  home  alone:  Loki  turned  her 
into  the  shape  of  a  nut  and  grasped  her  in  his  claws  and 
flew  his  utmost. 

Now  when  Thjazi  came  home  and  missed  Idunn,  he 
took  his  eagle's  plumage  and  flew  after  Loki,  making  a 
mighty  rush  of  sound  with  his  wings  in  his  flight.  But  when 
the  iEsir  saw  how  the  hawk  flew  with  the  nut,  and  where 
the  eagle  was  flying,  they  went  out  below  Asgard  and  bore 
burdens  of  plane-shavings  thither.  As  soon  as  the  hawk 
flew  into  the  citadel,  he  swooped  down  close  by  the  castle- 
wall;  then  the  ^sir  struck  fire  to  the  plane-shavings.  But 
the  eagle  could  not  stop  himself  when  he  missed  the  hawk: 
the  feathers  of  the  eagle  caught  fire,  and  straightway  his 
flight  ceased.  Then  the  ^sir  were  near  at  hand  and  slew 
Thjazi  the  giant  within  the  Gate  of  the  iEsir,  and  that 
slaying  is  exceeding  famous. 

Now  Skadi,  the  daughter  of  the  giant  Thjazi,  took  helm 
and  birnie  and  all  weapons  of  war  and  proceeded  to  Asgard, 
to  avenge  her  father.  The  iEsir,  however,  offered  her  recon- 
ciliation and  atonement:  the  first  article  was  that  she  should 


92  PROSE  EDDA 

choose  for  herself  a  husband  from  among  the  ^sir  and 
choose  by  the  feet  only,  seeing  no  more  of  him.  Then  she 
saw  the  feet  of  one  man, passing  fair,  and  said:  "I  choose 
this  one :  in  Baldr  little  can  be  loathly."  But  that  was  Njordr 
of  Noatiin.  She  had  this  article  also  in  her  bond  of  reconcil- 
iation :  that  the  ^sir  must  do  a  thing  she  thought  they  would 
not  be  able  to  accomplish:  to  make  her  laugh.  Then  Loki 
did  this :  he  tied  a  cord  to  the  beard  of  a  goat,  the  other  end 
being  about  his  own  genitals,  and  each  gave  way  in  turn, 
and  each  of  the  two  screeched  loudly;  then  Loki  let  him- 
self fall  onto  Skadi's  knee,  and  she  laughed.  Thereupon  re- 
conciliation was  made  with  her  on  the  part  of  the  iEsir.  It 
is  so  said,  that  Odin  did  this  by  way  of  atonement  to  Skadi: 
he  took  Thjazi's  eyes  and  cast  them  up  into  the  heavens, 
and  made  of  them  two  stars. 

Then  said  ^gir:  "It  seems  to  me  that  Thjazi  was  a 
mighty  man:  now  of  what  family  was  he?"  Bragi  an- 
swered: "His  father  was  called  Olvaldi,  and  if  I  tell  thee 
of  him,  thou  wilt  think  these  things  wonders.  He  was  very 
rich  in  gold;  but  when  he  died  and  his  sons  came  to  divide 
the  inheritance,  they  determined  upon  this  measure  for  the 
gold  which  they  divided:  each  should  take  as  much  as  his 
mouth  would  hold,  and  all  the  same  number  of  mouthfuls. 
One  of  them  was  Thjazi,  the  second  Idi,  the  third  Gangr. 
And  we  have  it  as  a  metaphor  among  us  now,  to  call  gold 
the  mouth-tale  of  these  giants;  but  we  conceal  it  in  secret 
terms  or  in  poesy  in  this  way,  that  we  call  it  Speech,  or 
Word,  or  Talk,  of  these  giants." 

Then  said  iEgir:  "I  deem  that  well  concealed  in  secret 
terms."  And  again  said  ^gir:"  Whence  did  this  art, which 
ye  call  poesy ^  derive  its  beginnings?"  Bragi  answered: 
"These  were  the  beginnings  thereof:  The  gods  had  a  dis- 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  93 

pute  with  the  folk  which  are  called  Vanir,  and  they  ap- 
pointed a  peace-meeting  between  them  and  established 
peace  in  this  way :  they  each  went  to  a  vat  and  spat  their 
spittle  therein.  Then  at  parting  the  gods  took  that  peace- 
token  and  would  not  let  it  perish,  but  shaped  thereof  a 
man.  This  man  is  called  Kvasir,  and  he  was  so  wise  that 
none  could  question  him  concerning  anything  but  that 
he  knew  the  solution.  He  went  up  and  down  the  earth  to 
give  instruction  to  men;  and  when  he  came  upon  invita- 
tion to  the  abode  of  certain  dwarves,  Fjalar  and  Galarr, 
they  called  him  into  privy  converse  with  them,  and  killed 
him,  letting  his  blood  run  into  two  vats  and  a  kettle.  The 
kettle  is  named  Odrerir,  and  the  vats  Son  and  Bodn;  they 
blended  honey  with  the  blood,  and  the  outcome  was  that 
mead  by  the  virtue  of  which  he  who  drinks  becomes  a 
skald  or  scholar.  The  dwarves  reported  to  the  ^sir  that 
Kvasir  had  choked  on  his  own  shrewdness,  since  there  was 
none  so  wise  there  as  to  be  able  to  question  his  wisdom. 
"Then  these  dwarves  invited  the  giant  who  is  called  Gil- 
lingr  to  visit  them, and  his  wife  with  him.  Next  the  dwarves 
invited  Gillingr  to  row  upon  the  sea  with  them;  but  when 
they  had  gone  out  from  the  land,  the  dwarves  rowed  into 
the  breakers  and  capsized  the  boat.  Gillingr  was  unable  to 
swim,  and  he  perished;  but  the  dwarves  righted  their  boat 
and  rowed  to  land.  They  reported  this  accident  to  his  wife, 
but  she  took  it  grievously  and  wept  aloud.  Then  Fjalar 
asked  her  whether  it  would  ease  her  heart  if  she  should  look 
out  upon  the  sea  at  the  spot  where  he  had  perished;  and 
she  desired  it.  Then  he  spoke  softly  to  Galarr  his  brother, 
bidding  him  go  up  over  the  doorway,  when  she  should  go 
out,  and  let  a  mill-stone  fall  on  her  head,  saying  that  her 
weeping  grew  wearisome  to  him;  and  even  so  he  did. 


94  PROSE  EDDA 

"  Now  when  the  giant  Suttungr,  GiUingr's  son,  learned  of 
this,  he  went  over  and  took  the  dwarves  and  carried  them 
out  to  sea,  and  set  them  on  a  reef  which  was  covered  at 
high  tide.  They  besought  Suttungr  to  grant  them  respite  of 
their  Hves,  and  as  the  price  of  reconciliation  offered  him 
the  precious  mead  in  satisfaction  of  his  father's  death.  And 
that  became  a  means  of  reconciliation  between  them.  Sut- 
tungr carried  the  mead  home  and  concealed  it  in  the  place 
called  Hnitbjorg,  placing  his  daughter  Gunnlod  there  to 
watch  over  it.  Because  of  this  we  call  poesy  Kvasir's  Blood 
or  Dwarves'Drink,or  Fill,or  any  kind  of  liquid  ofOdrerir, 
or  of  Bodn,  or  of  Son,  or  Ferry-Boat  of  Dwarves — since 
this  mead  brought  them  life-ransom  from  the  reef^ — or 
Suttungr's  Mead,  or  Liquor  of  Hnitbjorg." 

Then  ^gir  said:  "These  seem  to  me  dark  sayings,  to 
call  poesy  by  these  names.  But  how  did  ye  iEsir  come  at 
Suttungr's  Mead?"  Bragi  answered:  "That  tale  runs  thus: 
Odin  departed  from  home  and  came  to  a  certain  place 
where  nine  thralls  were  mowing  hay.  He  asked  if  they  de- 
sired him  to  whet  their  scythes,  and  they  assented.  Then 
he  took  a  hone  from  his  belt  and  whetted  the  scythes; 
it  seemed  to  them  that  the  scythes  cut  better  by  far,  and 
they  asked  that  the  hone  be  sold  them.  But  he  put  such  a 
value  on  it  that  whoso  desired  to  buy  must  give  a  consider- 
able price :  nonetheless  all  said  that  they  would  agree,  and 
prayed  him  to  sell  it  to  them.  He  cast  the  hone  up  into 
the  air;  but  since  all  wished  to  lay  their  hands  on  it,  they 
became  so  intermingled  with  one  another  that  each  struck 
with  his  scythe  against  the  other's  neck. 

"Odin  sought  a  night's  lodging  with  the  giant  who  is 
called  Baugi,  Suttungr's  brother.  Baugi  bewailed  his  hus- 
bandry, saying  that  his  nine  thralls  had  killed  one  another, 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  95 

and  declared  that  he  had  no  hope  of  workmen.  Odin  called 
himself  Bolverkr  in  Baugi's  presence;  he  offered  to  under- 
take nine  men's  work  for  Baugi,  and  demanded  for  his 
wages  one  drink  of  Suttungr's  Mead.  Baugi  declared  that 
he  had  no  control  whatever  over  the  mead,  and  said  that 
Suttungr  was  determined  to  have  it  to  himself,  but  prom- 
ised to  go  with  Bolverkr  and  try  if  they  might  get  the  mead. 
During  the  summer  Bolverkr  accomplished  nine  men's 
work  for  Baugi,  but  when  winter  came  he  asked  Baugi 
for  his  hire.  Then  they  both  set  out  for  Suttungr's.  Baugi 
told  Suttungr  his  brother  of  his  bargain  with  Bolverkr;  but 
Suttungr  flatly  refused  them  a  single  drop  of  the  mead. 
Then  Bolverkr  made  suggestion  to  Baugi  that  they  try  cer- 
tain wiles,  if  perchance  they  might  find  means  to  get  at  the 
mead;  and  Baugi  agreed  readily.  Thereupon  Bolverkr  drew 
out  the  auger  called  Rati,  saying  that  Baugi  must  bore  the 
rock,  if  the  auger  cut.  He  did  so.  At  last  Baugi  said  that 
the  rock  was  bored  through,  but  Bolverkr  blew  into  the 
auger-hole,  and  the  chips  flew  up  at  him.  Then  he  discov- 
ered that  Baugi  would  have  deceived  him,  and  he  bade  him 
bore  through  the  rock.  Baugi  bored  anew;  and  when  Bol- 
verkr blew  a  second  time,  then  the  chips  were  blown  in 
by  the  blast.  Then  Bolverkr  turned  himself  into  a  serpent 
and  crawled  into  the  auger-hole,  but  Baugi  thrust  at  him 
from  behind  with  the  auger  and  missed  him.  Bolverkr  pro- 
ceeded to  the  place  where  Gunnlod  was,  and  lay  with  her 
three  nights;  and  then  she  gave  him  leave  to  drink  three 
draughts  of  the  mead.  In  the  first  draught  he  drank  every 
drop  out  of  Odrerir;  and  in  the  second,  he  emptied  Bodn^ 
and  in  the  third.  Son;  and  then  he  had  all  the  mead.  Then 
he  turned  himself  into  the  shape  of  an  eagle  and  flew  as 
furiously  as  he  could;  but  when  Suttungr  saw  the  eagle's 


96  PROSE  EDDA 

flight,  he  too  assumed  the  fashion  of  an  eagle  and  flew  after 
him.  When  the  iEsir  saw  Odin  flying,  straightway  they 
set  out  their  vats  in  the  court;  and  when  Odin  came  into 
Asgard,  he  spat  up  the  mead  into  the  vats.  Nevertheless  J 

he  came  so  near  to  being  caught  by  Suttungr  that  he  sent  1 

some  mead  backwards,  and  no  heed  was  taken  of  this: 
whosoever  would  might  have  that,  and  we  call  that  the 
poetaster's  part.^  But  Odin  gave  the  mead  of  Suttungr  to 
the  iEsir  and  to  those  men  who  possess  the  ability  to  com- 
pose. Therefore  we  call  poesy  Odin's  Booty  and  Find,  and 
his  Drink  and  Gift,  and  the  Drink  of  the  iEsir." 

Then  said  iEgir:  "In  how  many  ways  are  the  terms  of 
skaldship  variously  phrased,  or  how  many  are  the  essential 
elements  of  the  skaldic  art  ? "  Then  Bragi  answered :  "  The 
elements  into  which  all  poesy  is  divided  are  two."  ^gir 
asked:  "What  two?"  Bragi  said:  "Metaphor and  metre." 
"What  manner  of  metaphor  is  used  for  skaldic  writing?" 
"Three  are  the  types  of  skaldic  metaphor."  "Which?" 
"Thus:  [first],  calling  everything  by  its  name;  the  second 
type  is  that  which  is  called  'substitution;'  the  third  type 
of  metaphor  is  that  which  is  called  'periphrasis,'  and  this 
type  is  employed  in  such  manner:  Suppose  I  take  Odin, 
or  Thor,  or  Tyr,  or  any  of  the  ^sir  or  Elves;  and  to  any 
of  them  whom  I  mention,  I  add  the  name  of  a  property  of 
some  other  of  the  iEsir,  or  I  record  certain  works  of  his. 
Thereupon  he  becomes  owner  of  the  name,  and  not  the 
one  whose  name  was  applied  to  him :  just  as  when  we  speak 
of  Victory-Tyr,  or  Tyr  of  the  Hanged,  or  Tyr  of  Cargoes : 
that  then  becomes  Odin's  name:  and  we  call  these  peri- 
phrastic names.  So  also  with  the  title  Tyr  of  the  Wain.^ 

*  See  Burns,  T/5^  Kirk\  Alarm^  nth  stanza,  for  a  similar  idea. 

^  Tyr:  see  discussion  in  Cl.-Vig.,  p.  647.  This  word  as  a  proper  name  refers 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  97 

"But  now  one  thing  must  be  said  to  young  skalds,  to 
such  as  yearn  to  attain  to  the  craft  of  poesy  and  to  increase 
their  store  of  figures  with  traditional  metaphors;  or  to  those 
who  crave  to  acquire  the  faculty  of  discerning  what  is  said 
in  hidden  phrase:  let  such  an  one,  then,  interpret  this  book 
to  his  instruction  and  pleasure.  Yet  one  is  not  so  to  forget 
or  discredit  these  traditions  as  to  remove  from  poesy  those 
ancient  metaphors  with  which  it  has  pleased  Chief  Skalds 
to  be  content ;  nor,  on  the  other  hand,  ought  Christian  men 
to  believe  in  heathen  gods,  nor  in  the  truth  of  these  tales 
otherwise  than  precisely  as  one  may  find  here  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  book. 

11.  "Now  you  may  hear  examples  of  the  way  in  which 
Chief  Skalds  have  held  it  becoming  to  compose,  making 
use  of  these  simple  terms  and  periphrases:  as  when  Arnorr 
Earls'  Skald  says  that  Odin  is  called  Allfather: 

Now  I'll  tell  men  the  virtue 
Of  the  terrible  Jarl; 
Allfather's  Song-Surf  streams; 
Late  my  sorrows  lighten. 

Here,  moreover,  he  calls  poesy  the  Song-Surf  of  Allfather. 
Havardr  the  Halt  sang  thus: 

Now  is  the  flight  of  eagles 

Over  the  field;  the  sailors 

Of  the  sea-horses  hie  them 

To  the  Hanged-God's  gifts  and  feasting. 

to  the  one-armed  God  of  War  ;  but,  especially  in  compounds,  it  has  the  sense 
of  God^  the  God,  and  is  usually  applied  to  Odin.  The  compounds  mentioned  here 
by  Snorri  arc  all  epithets  of  Odin.  See  Gylfaginning^  p.  30. 


98  PROSE  EDDA 

Thus  sang  Viga-Gliimr: 

With  the  Hanged-God's  helmet 
The  hosts  have  ceased  from  going 
By  the  brink;  not  pleasant 
The  bravest  held  the  venture. 

Thus  sang  Refr: 

Oft  the  Gracious  One  came  to  me 
At  the  holy  cup  of  the  Raven-God; 
The  king  of  the  stem-ploughed  sea's  gold 
From  the  skald  in  death  is  sundered. 

Thus  sang  Eyvindr  Skald-Despoiler: 

And  Sigurdr, 

He  who  sated  the  ravens 

Of  Cargo-God 

With  the  gore  of  the  host 

Of  slain  Haddings 

Of  life  was  spoiled 

By  the  earth-rulers 

At  Oglo. 

Thus  sang  Glumr  Geirason: 

There  the  Tyr  of  Triumph 
Himself  inspired  the  terror 
Of  ships;  the  gods  of  breezes 
That  favor  good  men  steered  them. 

Thus  sang  Eyvindr: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  99 

Gondull  and  Skogull 
Gauta-Tyr  sent 
To  choose  from  kings 
Who  of  Yngvi's  kin 
Should  go  with  Odin 
And  be  in  Valhall. 


Thus  sang  tJlfr  Uggason : 


Swiftly  the  Far-Famed  rideth, 

The  Foretelling  God,  to  the  fire  speeds, 

To  the  wide  pyre  of  his  offspring; 

Through  my  cheeks  praise-songs  are  pouring, 


Thus  sang  Thjodolfr  of  Hvin 


The  slain  lay  there  sand-strewing, 
Spoil  for  the  Single- Eyed 
Dweller  in  Frigg's  bosom; 
In  such  deeds  we  rejoiced. 

Hallfredr  sang  thus: 

The  doughty  ship-possessor 
With  sharpened  words  and  soothfast 
Lures  our  land,  the  patient. 
Barley-locked  Wife  of  Thridi. 

Here  is  an  example  of  this  metaphor,  that  in  poesy  the 
earth  is  called  the  Wife  of  Odin.  Here  is  told  what  Ey- 
vindr  sang: 

Hermodr  and  Bragi, 
Spake  Hropta-Tyr, 


100  PROSE  EDDA 

Go  ye  to  greet  the  Prince; 
For  a  king  who  seemeth 
A  champion  cometh 
To  the  hall  hither. 

Thus  sang  Kormakr: 

The  Giver  of  Lands,  who  bindeth 
The  sail  to  the  top,  with  gold-lace 
Honors  him  who  pours  god's  verse-mead; 
Odin  wrought  charms  on  Rindr. 


Thus  sang  Steinthorr: 


Much  have  I  to  laud 

The  ancient-made  (though  little) 

Liquor  of  the  valiant 

Load  of  Gunnlod's  arm-clasp. 

Thus  sang  U Ifr  Uggason : 

There  I  think  the  Valkyrs  follow, 
And  ravens.  Victorious  Odin 
To  the  blood  of  holy  Baldr. 
With  old  tales  the  hall  was  painted. 

Thus  sang  Egill  Skallagrimsson: 

No  victims  for  this 
To  Vili's  brother, 
The  High-God,  I  ofFer, 
Glad  to  behold  him; 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  loi 

Yet  has  Mimir's  friend 
On  me  bestowed 
Amends  of  evil 
Which  I  account  better. 

He  has  given  me  the  art  — 
He,  the  Wolf's  Opposer, 
Accustomed  to  battle, — 
Of  blemish  blameless. 

Here  he  is  called  High  God,  and  Friend  of  Mimir,  and 
Adversary  of  the  Wolf. 
Thus  sang  Refr: 

Swift  God  of  Slain,  that  wieldeth 
The  snowy  billow's  wave-hawks, 
The  ships  that  drive  the  sea-road. 
To  thee  we  owe  the  dwarves'  drink. 

Thus  sang  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale: 

'T  is  mine  to  pour  the  liquor 
Of  the  Host-God's  mead-cask  freely 
Before  the  ships'  swift  Speeder: 
For  this  I  win  no  scorning. 

Thus  sang  tJlfr  Uggason: 


His  steed  the  lordly  Heimdallr 
Spurs  to  the  pyre  gods  builded 
For  the  fallen  son  of  Odin, 
The  All-Wise  Raven-Ruler. 


102  PROSE  EDDA 

This  is  said  in  Eiriksmal: 

What  dream  is  that?  quoth  Odin, 

I  thought  to  rise  ere  day-break 

To  make  Valhall  ready 

For  troops  of  slain ; 

I  roused  the  champions, 

Bade  them  rise  swiftly 

Benches  to  strew. 

To  wash  beer-flagons; 

The  Valkyrs  to  pour  wine. 

As  a  Prince  were  coming. 

Kormakr  sang  this: 

I  pray  the  precious  Ruler 
Of  Yngvi's  people,  o'er  me 
To  hold  his  hand,  bow-shaking. 
Hroptr  bore  with  him  Gungnir. 


Thoralfr  sang  this: 


The  Mighty  One  of  Hlidskjalf 
Spake  his  mind  unto  them 
Where  the  hosts  of  fearless 
Harekr  were  slaughtered. 


Thus  sang  Eyvindr: 


The  mead  which  forth 
From  Surtr's  sunk  dales 
The  Strong-through-spells 
Swift-flying  bore. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  103 

So  sang  Bragi: 

*Tis  seen,  on  my  shield's  surface, 
How  the  Son  of  the  Father  of  Peoples 
Craved  to  try  his  strength  full  swiftly 
'Gainst  the  rain-beat  Snake  earth-circling. 

Thus  sang  Einarr: 

Since  less  with  Bestla's  Offspring 
Prevail  most  lordly  princes 
Than  thou,  my  task  is  singing 
Thy  praise  in  songs  of  battle. 

Thus  sang  Thorvaldr  Blending-Skald: 

Now  have  I  much 
In  the  middle  grasped 
Of  the  son  of  Borr, 
Of  Buri's  heir. 

HI.  "Now  you  shall  hear  how  the  skalds  have  termed  the 
art  of  poesy  in  these  metaphorical  phrases  which  have  been 
recorded  before:  for  example,  by  calling  it  Kvasir's  Gore 
and  Ship  of  the  Dwarves,  Dwarves'  Mead,  Mead  of  the 
^sir.  Giants'  Father-Ransom,  Liquor  of  Odrerir  and  of 
Bodn  and  of  Son,  and  Fullness  of  these.  Liquor  of  Hnit- 
bjorg,  Booty  and  Find  and  Gift  of  Odin,  even  as  has  been 
sung  in  these  verses  which  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale wrought: 

I  pray  the  high-souled  Warder 
Of  earth  to  hear  the  Ocean 
Of  the  ClifF  of  Dwarves,  my  verses: 
Hear,  Earl,  the  Gore  of  Kvasir. 


104  PROSE  EDDA 

And  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang  further: 

The  Dwarves'  Crag's  Song-wave  rushes 

O'er  all  the  dauntless  shield-host 

Of  him  who  speeds  the  fury 

Of  the  shield-wall's  piercing  sword-bane, 

Even  as  Ormr  Steinthorsson  sang: 

The  body  of  the  dame 
And  my  dead  be  borne 
Into  one  hall;  the  Drink 
Of  Dvalinn,  Franklins,  hear. 

And  as  Refr  sang: 

I  reveal  the  Thought's  Drink 
Of  the  Rock-Folk  to  Thorsteinn; 
The  Billow  of  the  Dwarf-Crag 
Plashes;  I  bid  men  hearken. 

Even  as  Egill  sang: 

The  Prince  requires  my  lore, 
And  bound  his  praise  to  pour, 
Odin's  Mead  I  bore 
To  English  shore. 

And  as  Gliimr  Geirason  sang: 

Let  the  Princely  Giver  hearken: 
I  hold  the  God-King's  liquor; 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  105 

Let  silence,  then,  be  granted, 
While  we  sing  the  loss  of  thanes. 

And  as  Eyvindr  sang: 

A  hearing  I  crave 

For  the  High  One's  Liquor, 

While  I  utter 

Gillingr's  Atonement; 

While  his  kin 

In  the  Kettle-Brewing 

Of  the  Gallows-Lord 

To  the  gods  I  trace. 

Even  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  Wave  of  Odin  surges; 

Of  Odrerir's  Sea  a  billow 

'Gainst  the  tongue's  song-glade  crashes; 

Aye  our  King's  works  are  goodly. 

And  as  he  sang  further: 

Now  that  which  Bodn's  Billow 
Bodes  forth  will  straight  be  uttered: 
Let  the  War-King's  host  make  silence 
In  the  hall,  and  hear  the  Dwarves'  Ship. 

And  as  Eilifr  Gudrunarson  sang: 

Grant  shall  ye  gifts  of  friendship, 
Since  grows  of  Son  the  Seedling 
In  our  tongue's  fertile  sedge-bank: 
True  praise  of  our  High  Lord. 


io6  PROSE  EDDA 

Even  as  Volu-Steinn  sang: 

Egill,  hear  the  Heart-streams 
Of  Odin  beat  in  cadence 
'Gainst  my  palate's  skerry; 
The  God's  Spoil  to  me  is  given. 

Thus  sang  Ormr  Steinthorsson : 

No  verse  of  mine  men  need  to  fear, 
No  mockery  I  intertwine 
In  Odin's  Spoil;  my  skill  is  sure 
In  forging  songs  of  praise. 

Thus  sang  Ulfr  Uggason: 

I  show  to  host-glad  Aleifr 

The  Heart-Fjord's  Shoal  of  Odin, — 

My  song:  him  do  I  summon 

To  hear  the  Gift  of  Grimnir. 

Poesy  is  called  Sea,  or  Liquid  of  the  Dwarves,  because 
Kvasir's  blood  was  liquid  in  Odrerir  before  the  mead  was 
made,  and  then  it  was  put  into  the  kettle;  wherefore  it  is 
called  Odin's  Kettle-Liquor,  even  as  Ey vindr  sang  and  as 
we  have  recorded  before: 

While  his  kin 
In  the  Kettle-Brewing 
Of  the  Gallows-Lord 
To  the  gods  I  trace/ 

^  See  page  105. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  107 

Moreover,  poesy  is  called  Ship  or  Ale  of  the  Dwarves:  ale 
is  //J,  and  lid  is  a  word  for  ships;  therefore  it  is  held  that 
it  is  for  this  reason  that  poesy  is  now  called  Ship  of  the 
Dwarves,  even  as  this  verse  tells: 

The  wit  of  Gunnlod's  Liquor 
In  swelling  wind-like  fullness, 
And  the  everlasting  Dwarves'  Ship 
I  own,  to  send  the  same  road. 

IV.  ^^  What  figures  should  be  employed  to  periphrase  the 
name  of  Thor?  Thus:  one  should  call  him  Son  of  Odin 
and  of  Jord,  Father  of  Magni  and  Modi  and  Thrudr, 
Husband  of  Sif,  Stepfather  of  Ullr,  Wielder  and  Posses- 
sor of  Mjollnir  and  of  the  Girdle  of  Strength,  and  of  Bil- 
skirnir;  Defender  of  Asgard  and  of  Midgard,  Adversary 
and  Slayer  of  Giants  and  Troll- Women,  Smiter  of  Hrung- 
nir,  of  Geirrodr  and  of  Thrivaldi,  Master  of  Thjalfi  and 
Roskva,  Foe  of  the  Midgard  Serpent.  Foster-father  of 
Vingnir  and  Hlora.  So  sang  Bragi  the  Skald: 

The  line  of  Odin's  Offspring 
Lay  not  slack  on  the  gunwale, 
When  the  huge  ocean-serpent 
Uncoiled  on  the  sea's  bottom. 

Thus  sang  Olvir  Cut-Nose-and-Crop-Ears : 

The  encircler  of  all  regions 

And  Jord's  Son  sought  each  other. 


io8  PROSE  EDDA 

Thus  sang  Eilifr: 

Wroth  stood  Roskva's  Brother, 
And  Magni's  Sire  wrought  bravely: 
With  terror  Thor's  staunch  heart-stone 
Trembled  not,  nor  Thjalfi's. 

And  thus  sang  Eysteinn  Valdason: 

With  glowing  eyes  Thrudr's  Father 
Glared  at  the  sea-road's  circler. 
Ere  the  fishes'  watery  dwelling 
Flowed  in,  the  boat  confounding. 

Eysteinn  sang  further: 

Swiftly  SiPs  Husband  bouned  him 
To  haste  forth  with  the  Giants 
For  his  hardy  fishing: 
Well  sing  we  Hrimnir's  horn-stream. 

Again  he  sang: 

The  earth-fish  tugged  so  fiercely 
That  Ullr's  Kinsman's  clenched  fists 
Were  pulled  out  past  the  gunwale; 
The  broad  planks  rent  asunder. 

Thus  sang  Bragi: 

The  strong  fiend's  Terrifier 
In  his  right  hand  swung  his  hammer. 
When  he  saw  the  loathly  sea-fish 
That  all  the  lands  confineth. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  109 

Thus  sang  Gamli: 

While  the  Lord  of  high  Bilskirnir, 
Whose  heart  no  falsehood  fashioned, 
Swiftly  strove  to  shatter 
The  sea-fish  with  his  hammer. 

Thus  sang  Thorbjorn  Lady's-Skald: 

Bravely  Thor  fought  for  Asgard 
And  the  followers  of  Odin. 

Thus  sang  Bragi: 

And  the  vast  misshapen  circler 

Of  the  ship's  sea-path,  fierce-minded, 

Stared  from  below  in  anger 

At  the  Skull-Splitter  of  Hrungnir. 

Again  sang  Bragi: 

Well  hast  Thou,  Hewer-in-Sunder 
Of  the  nine  heads  of  Thrivaldi, 
Kept  thy  goats*  .  .  . 

Thus  sang  Eilifr: 

The  Merciless  Destroyer 
Of  the  people  of  the  Giants 
Grasped  with  ready  fore-arms 
At  the  heavy  red-hot  iron. 


*  The  remainder  of  this  stanza  cannot  be  made  out. 


no  PROSE  EDDA 

Thus  sang  tTlfr  Uggason: 

Faintly  the  stout-framed  thickhng 
A  fearful  peril  called  it, 
At  the  great  draught  wondrous  heavy 
Drawn  up  by  the  Lord  of  he-goats. 

Thus  dfr  sang  further: 

The  very  mighty  Slayer 

Of  the  Mountain-Man  brought  crashing 

His  fist  on  Hymir's  temple: 

That  was  a  hurt  full  deadly. 

Yet  again  sang  Ulfr: 

Vimur's  ford's  Wide-Grappler 
'Gainst  the  waves  smote  featly 
The  glittering  Serpent's  head  ofF. 
With  old  tales  the  hall  was  gleaming. 

Here  he  is  called  Giant  of  Vimur's  Ford.  There  is  a  river 
called  Vimur,  which  Thor  waded  when  he  journeyed  to 
the  garth  of  Geirrodr. 
Thus  sang  Vetrlidi  the  skald: 

Thou  didst  break  the  leg  of  Leikn, 
Didst  cause  to  stoop  Starkadr, 
Didst  bruise  Thrivaldi, 
Didst  stand  on  lifeless  Gjalp. 

Thus  sang  Thorbjorn  Lady's-Skald: 

Thou  didst  smite  the  head  of  Keila, 
Smash  Kjallandi  altogether, 


1 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  iii 

Ere  thou  slewest  Liitr  and  Leidi, 
Didst  spill  the  blood  of  Buseyra; 
Didst  hold  back  Hengjankjapta, — 
Hyrrokkin  died  before; 
Yet  sooner  in  like  fashion 
Svivor  from  life  was  taken. 

V.  "How should  one  periphrase  Baldr?  By  calling  him  Son 
of  Odin  and  Frigg,  Husband  of  Nanna,  Father  of  Forseti, 
Possessor  of  Hringhorni  and  Draupnir,  Adversary  of  Hodr, 
Companion  of  Hel,  God  of  Tears.  Ulfr  Uggason,  follow- 
ing the  story  of  Baldr,  has  composed  a  long  passage  in  the 
Husdrapa;  and  examples  are  recorded  earlier  to  the  effect 
that  Baldr  is  so  termed. 

VI.  "How  should  one  periphrase  Njordr?  By  calling  him 
God  of  the  Vanir,  or  Kinsman  of  the  Vanir,  or  Wane, 
Father  of  Freyr  and  Freyja,  God  of  Wealth-Bestowal. 
So  says  Thordr  Sjareksson : 

Gudriin's  self  by  ill 
Her  sons  did  kill; 
The  wise  God-bride 
At  the  Wane's  side 
Grieved;  men  tell 
Odin  tamed  steeds  well; 
'T  was  not  the  saying 
Hamdir  spared  sword-playing. 

Here  it  is  recorded  that  Skadi  departed  from  Njordr,  as 
has  already  been  written. 


112  PROSE  EDDA 

VII.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Freyr?Thus:  by  calling 
him  Son  of  Njordr,  Brother  of  Freyja,  and  also  God  of 
Vanir,  and  Kinsman  of  the  Vanir,  and  Wane,  and  God  of 
the  Fertile  Season,  and  God  of  Wealth-Gifts. 
Thus  sang  Egill  Skallagrimsson : 

For  that  Grjotbjorn 
In  goods  and  gear 
Freyr  and  Njordr 
Have  fairly  blessed. 

Freyr  is  called  Adversary  of  Beli,even  as  Eyvindr  Spoiler 
of  Skalds  sang: 

When  the  Earl's  foe 
Wished  to  inhabit 
The  outer  bounds 
Of  Beli's  hater. 

He  is  the  possessor  of  Skidbladnir  and  of  that  boar  which 
is  called  Gold-Bristle,  even  as  it  is  told  here: 

Ivaldi's  offspring 

In  ancient  days 

Went  to  shape  Skidbladnir, 

Foremost  of  ships, 

Fairly  for  Freyr, 

Choicely  for  Njordr's  child. 

Thus  speaks  Clfr  Uggason: 


The  battle-bold  Freyr  rideth 
First  on  the  golden-bristled 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  113 

Barrow-boar  to  the  bale-fire 
Of  Baldr,  and  leads  the  people. 

The  boar  is  also  called  Fearful-Tusk. 

VIII.  "How  should  one  periphrase  Heimdallr?  By  calling 
him  Son  of  Nine  Mothers,  or  Watchman  of  the  Gods,  as 
already  has  been  written;  or  White  God,  Foe  of  Loki, 
Seeker  of  Freyja's  Necklace.  A  sword  is  called  Heim- 
dallr's  Head:  for  it  is  said  that  he  was  pierced  by  a  man's 
head.  The  tale  thereof  is  told  in  Heimdalar-galdr ;  and 
ever  since  a  head  is  called  Heimdallr's  Measure;  a  sword 
is  called  Man's  Measure.  Heimdallr  is  the  Possessor  of 
Gulltoppr;  he  is  also  Frequenter  of  Vagasker  and  Sing- 
asteinn,  where  he  contended  with  Loki  for  the  Necklace 
Brisinga-men ,  he  is  also  called  Vindler.  tJlfr  Uggason  com- 
posed a  long  passage  in  the  Husdrapa  on  that  legend,  and 
there  it  is  written  that  they  were  in  the  form  of  seals. 
Heimdallr  also  is  son  of  Odin. 

IX.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Tyr  ?  By  calling  him  the 
One-handed  God,  and  Fosterer  of  the  Wolf,  God  of  Bat- 
tles, Son  of  Odin. 

X.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Bragi  ?  By  calling  him  Hus- 
band of  Idunn,  First  Maker  of  Poetry,  and  the  Long- 
bearded  God  (after  his  name,  a  man  who  has  a  great  beard 
is  called  Beard- Bragi)  and  Son  of  Odin. 

XI.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Vidarr?  He  maybe  called 
the  Silent  God,  Possessor  of  the  Iron  Shoe,  Foe  and  Slayer 
of  Fenris-Wolf,  Avenger  of  the  Gods,  Divine  Dweller  in 


114  PROSE  EDDA 

the  Homesteads  of  the  Fathers,  Son  of  Odin,  and  Brother 
of  the  iEsir. 


XII.  "How  should  Vali  be  periphrased?  Thus:  by  calling 
him  Son  of  Odin  and  Rindr,  Stepson  of  Frigg,  Brother 
of  the  ^sir,  Baldr's  Avenger,  Foe  and  Slayer  of  Hodr, 
Dweller  in  the  Homesteads  of  the  Fathers. 

XIII.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Hodr?  Thus:  by  call- 
ing him  the  Blind  God,  Baldr's  Slayer,  Thrower  of  the 
Mistletoe,  Son  of  Odin,  Companion  of  Hel,  Foe  of  Vali. 

XIV.  "How  should  Ullr  be  periphrased?  By  calling  him 
Son  of  Sif,  Stepson  of  Thor,  God  of  the  Snowshoe,  God 
of  the  Bow,  Hunting-God,  God  of  the  Shield. 

XV.  "How  should  Hoenir  be  periphrased?  By  calling  him 
Bench-Mate  or  Companion  or  Friend  of  Odin,  the  Swift 
of  God,  the  Long-Footed,  and  King  of  Clay.^ 

XVI.  "How  should  one  periphrase  Loki?  Thus:  call  him 
Son  of  Farbauti  and  Laufey,  or  of  Nal,  Brother  of  Byleistr 
and  of  Helblindi,  Father  of  the  Monster  of  Van  (that  is, 
Fenris-Wolf),  and  of  the  Vast  Monster  (that  is,  the  Mid- 
gard  Serpent),  and  of  Hel,  and  Nari,  and  Ali;  Kinsman 
and  Uncle,  Evil  Companion  and  Bench-Mate  of  Odin  and 
the  JEslr^  Visitor  and  Chest-Trapping  of  Geirrodr,  Thief 
of  the  Giants,  of  the  Goat,  of  Brisinga-men,and  of  Idunn's 
Apples,  Kinsman  of  Sleipnir,  Husband  of  Sigyn,Foe  of  the 
Gods,  Harmer  of  Sif's  Hair,  Forger  of  Evil,  the  Sly  God, 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  115 

Slanderer  and  Cheat  of  the  Gods,  Contriver  of  Baldr's 
Death,  the  Bound  God,  Wrangling  Foe  of  Heimdallr  and 
of  Skadi.  Even  as  tJlfr  Uggason  sings  here: 

The  famed  rain-bow's  defender, 
Ready  in  wisdom,  striveth 
At  Singasteinn  with  Loki, 
Farbauti's  sin-sly  offspring; 
The  son  of  mothers  eight  and  one. 
Mighty  in  wrath,  possesses 
The  Stone  ere  Loki  cometh: 
I  make  known  songs  of  praise. 

Here  it  is  written  that  Heimdallr  is  the  son  of  nine  mothers. 

XVn.  "Now  an  account  shall  be  given  of  the  source  of 
those  metaphors  which  have  but  now  been  recorded,  and 
of  which  no  accounts  were  rendered  before:  even  such  as 
Bragi  gave  to  ^gir,  telling  how  Thor  had  gone  into  the 
east  to  slay  trolls,  and  Odin  rode  Sleipnir  into  Jotunheim 
and  visited  that  giant  who  was  named  Hrungnir.  Hrungnir 
asked  what  manner  of  man  he  with  the  golden  helm  might 
be,  who  rode  through  air  and  water;  and  said  that  the 
stranger  had  a  wondrous  good  steed.  Odin  said  he  would 
wager  his  head  there  was  no  horse  in  Jotunheim  that 
would  prove  equally  good.  Hrungnir  answered  that  it  was 
a  good  horse,  but  declared  that  he  had  a  much  better- 
paced  horse  which  was  called  Gold-Mane.  Hrungnir  had 
become  angry,  and  vaulted  up  onto  his  horse  and  galloped 
after  him,  thinking  to  pay  him  for  his  boasting.  Odin  gal- 
loped so  furiously  that  he  was  on  the  top  of  the  next  hill 
first;  but  Hrungnir  was  so  filled  with  the  giant's  frenzy 


ii6  PROSE  EDDA 

that  he  took  no  heed  until  he  had  come  in  beyond  the  gates 
of  Asgard.  When  he  came  to  the  hall-door,  the  iEsir  in- 
vited him  to  drink.  He  went  within  and  ordered  drink  to 
be  brought  to  him,  and  then  those  flagons  were  brought 
in  from  which  Thor  was  wont  to  drink;  and  Hrungnir 
swilled  from  each  in  turn.  But  when  he  had  become 
drunken,  then  big  words  were  not  wanting:  he  boasted  that 
he  would  lift  up  Valhall  and  carry  it  to  Jotunheim,  and 
sink  Asgard  and  kill  all  the  gods,  save  that  he  would  take 
Freyja  and  Sif  home  with  him.  Freyja  alone  dared  pour  for 
him;  and  he  vowed  that  he  would  drink  all  the  ale  of  the 
iEsir.  But  when  his  overbearing  insolence  became  tire- 
some to  the  ^Esir,  they  called  on  the  name  of  Thor. 

"Straightway  Thor  came  into  the  hall,  brandishing  his 
hammer,  and  he  was  very  wroth,  and  asked  who  had  ad- 
vised that  these  dogs  of  giants  be  permitted  to  drink  there, 
or  who  had  granted  Hrungnir  safe-conduct  to  be  in  Valhall, 
or  why  Freyja  should  pour  for  him  as  at  a  feast  of  the  ^sir. 
Then  Hrungnir  answered,  looking  at  Thor  with  no  friendly 
eyes,  and  said  that  Odin  had  invited  him  to  drink,  and  he 
was  under  his  safe-conduct.  Thor  declared  that  Hrungnir 
should  repent  of  that  invitation  before  he  got  away.  Hrung- 
nir answered  that  Asa-Thor  would  have  scant  renown  for 
killing  him,  weaponless  as  he  was :  it  were  a  greater  trial 
of  his  courage  if  he  dared  fight  with  Hrungnir  on  the  border 
at  Grjotunagard.  'And  it  was  a  great  folly,'  said  he,  'when 
I  left  my  shield  and  hone  behind  at  home;  if  I  had  my 
weapons  here,  then  we  should  try  single-combat.  But  as 
matters  stand,  I  declare  thee  a  coward  if  thou  wilt  slay  me, 
a  weaponless  man.' Thor  was  by  no  means  anxious  to  avoid 
the  fight  when  challenged  to  the  field,  for  no  one  had  ever 
oflFered  him  single-combat  before. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  117 

"Then  Hrungnir  went  his  way,  and  galloped  furiously 
until  he  came  to  Jotunheim.  The  news  of  his  journey  was 
spread  abroad  among  the  giants,  and  it  became  noised 
abroad  that  a  meeting  had  been  arranged  between  him  and 
Thor;  the  giants  deemed  that  they  had  much  at  stake,  who 
should  win  the  victory,  since  they  looked  for  ill  at  Thor's 
hands  if  Hrungnir  perished,  he  being  strongest  of  them  all. 
Then  the  giants  made  a  man  of  clay  at  Grjotiinagard:  he 
was  nine  miles  high  and  three  broad  under  the  arm-pits; 
but  they  could  get  no  heart  big  enough  to  fit  him,  until  they 
took  one  from  a  mare.  Even  that  was  not  steadfast  within 
him,  when  Thor  came.  Hrungnir  had  the  heart  which  is  no- 
torious, of  hard  stone  and  spiked  with  three  corners,  even 
as  the  written  character  is  since  formed,  which  men  call 
Hrungnir's  Heart.  His  head  also  was  of  stone;  his  shield 
too  was  stone,  wide  and  thick,  and  he  had  the  shield  before 
him  when  he  stood  at  Grjotunagard  and  waited  for  Thor. 
Moreover  he  had  a  hone  for  a  weapon,  and  brandished  it 
over  his  shoulders,  and  he  was  not  a  pretty  sight.  At  one 
side  of  him  stood  the  clay  giant,  which  was  called  Mokkur- 
kalfi:  he  was  sore  afraid,  and  it  is  said  that  he  wet  himself 
when  he  saw  Thor. 

"Thor  went  to  the  meeting-place,  and  Thjalfi  with  him. 
Then  Thjalfi  ran  forward  to  the  spot  where  Hrungnir  stood 
and  said  to  him:  'Thou  standest  unwarily.  Giant,  having 
the  shield  before  thee :  for  Thor  has  seen  thee,  and  comes 
hither  down  below  the  earth,  and  will  come  at  thee  from 
beneath.'  Then  Hrungnir  thrust  the  shield  under  his  feet 
and  stood  upon  it,  wielding  the  hone  with  both  hands.  Then 
speedily  he  saw  lightnings  and  heard  great  claps  of  thunder ; 
then  he  saw  Thor  in  God-like  anger,  who  came  forward 
furiously  and  swung  the  hammer  and  cast  it  at  Hrungnir 


ii8  PROSE  EDDA 

from  afar  off.  Hrungnir  lifted  up  the  hone  in  both  hands  and 
cast  it  against  him;  it  struck  the  hammer  in  flight,  and  the 
hone  burst  in  sunder:  one  part  fell  to  the  earth,  and  thence 
are  come  all  the  flint-rocks;  the  other  burst  onThor's  head, 
so  that  he  fell  forward  to  the  earth.  But  the  hammer  Mjoll- 
nir  struck  Hrungnir  in  the  middle  of  the  head,  and  smashed 
his  skull  into  small  crumbs,  and  he  fell  forward  upon 
Thor,  so  that  his  foot  lay  over  Thor's  neck.  Thjalfi  struck 
at  Mokkurkalfi,  and  he  fell  with  little  glory.  Thereupon 
Thjalfi  went  over  to  Thor  and  would  have  lifted  Hrungnir's 
foot  off  him,  but  could  not  find  suflicient  strength.  Straight- 
way all  the  i^sir  came  up,  when  they  learned  that  Thor 
was  fallen,  and  would  have  lifted  the  foot  from  off  him,  and 
could  do  nothing.  Then  Magni  came  up,  son  of  Thor  and 
Jarnsaxa:  he  was  then  three  nights  old;  he  cast  the  foot  of 
Hrungnir  off  Thor,  and  spake:  'See  how  ill  it  is,  father, 
that  I  came  so  late :  I  had  struck  this  giant  dead  with  my  fist, 
methinks,  if  I  had  met  with  him.'  Thor  arose  and  welcomed 
his  son,  saying  that  he  should  surely  become  great;  'And 
I  will  give  thee,'  he  said,  'the  horse  Gold-Mane,  which 
Hrungnir  possessed.'  Then  Odin  spake  and  said  that  Thor 
did  wrong  to  give  the  good  horse  to  the  son  of  a  giantess, 
and  not  to  his  father. 

"Thor  went  home  to  Thrudvangar,  and  the  hone  re- 
mained sticking  in  his  head.  Then  came  the  wise  woman 
who  was  called  Groa,  wife  of  Aurvandill  the  Valiant:  she 
sang  her  spells  over  Thor  until  the  hone  was  loosened.  But 
when  Thor  knew  that,  and  thought  that  there  was  hope 
that  the  hone  might  be  removed,  he  desired  to  reward  Groa 
for  her  leech-craft  and  make  her  glad,  and  told  her  these 
things :  that  he  had  waded  from  the  north  over  Icy  Stream 
and  had  borne  Aurvandill  in  a  basket  on  his  back  from  the 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  119 

north  out  of  Jotunheim.  And  he  added  for  a  token,  that  one 
of  Aurvandill's  toes  had  stuck  out  of  the  basket,  and  became 
frozen;  wherefore  Thor  broke  it  off  and  cast  it  up  into 
the  heavens,  and  made  thereof  the  star  called  Aurvandill's 
Toe.  Thor  said  that  it  would  not  be  long  ere  Aurvandill 
came  home:  but  Groa  was  so  rejoiced  that  she  forgot  her 
incantations,  and  the  hone  was  not  loosened,  and  stands 
yet  in  Thor's  head.  Therefore  it  is  forbidden  to  cast  a  hone 
across  the  floor,  for  then  the  hone  is  stirred  in  Thor's  head. 
Thjodolfr  of  Hvin  has  made  a  song  after  this  tale  in  the 
Haustlong,   [It  says  there: 

On  the  high  and  painted  surface 
Of  the  hollow  shield,  still  further 
One  may  see  how  the  Giant's  Terror 
Sought  the  home  of  Grjotiin; 
The  angry  son  of  Jord  drove 
To  the  play  of  steel;  below  him 
Thundered  the  moon-way;  rage  swelled 
In  the  heart  of  Meili's  Brother. 

All  the  bright  gods'  high  mansions 
Burned  before  Ullr's  kinsman; 
With  hail  the  earth  was  beaten 
Along  his  course,  when  the  he-goats 
Drew  the  god  of  the  smooth  wain  forward 
To  meet  the  grisly  giant: 
The  Earth,  the  Spouse  of  Odin, 
Straightway  reft  asunder. 

No  truce  made  Baldr's  brother 
With  the  bitter  foe  of  earth-folk. 


I20  PROSE  EDDA 

Rocks  shook,  and  crags  were  shivered; 
The  shining  Upper  Heaven 
Burned;  I  saw  the  giant 
Of  the  boat-sailed  sea-reef  waver 
And  give  way  fast  before  him, 
Seeing  his  war-like  Slayer. 

Swiftly  the  shining  shield-rim 

Shot  'neath  the  ClifF-Ward's  shoe-soles; 

That  was  the  wise  gods'  mandate. 

The  War- Valkyrs  willed  it. 

The  champion  of  the  Waste-Land 

Not  long  thereafter  waited 

For  the  speedy  blow  delivered 

By  the  Friend  of  the  snout-trolPs  crusher. 

He  who  of  breath  despoileth 
Beli's  baleful  hirelings 
Felled  on  the  shield  rim-circled 
The  fiend  of  the  roaring  mountain; 
The  monster  of  the  glen-field 
Before  the  mighty  hammer 
Sank,  when  the  Hill-Danes'  Breaker 
Struck  down  the  hideous  caitifF. 

Then  the  hone  hard-broken 
Hurled  by  the  Ogress-lover 
Whirred  into  the  brain-ridge 
Of  Earth's  Son,  that  the  whetter 
Of  steels,  sticking  unloosened 
In  the  skull  of  Odin's  off^spring. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  121 

Stood  there  all  besprinkled 
With  Einridi's  blood. 


Until  the  wise  ale-goddess, 

With  wondrous  lays,  enchanted 

The  vaunted  woe,  rust-ruddy. 

From  the  Wain-God's  sloping  temples; 

Painted  on  its  circuit 

I  see  them  clearly  pictured: 

The  fair-bossed  shield,  with  stories 

Figured,  I  had  from  Thorleifr."] ' 

XVIII.  Then  said^gir:  "Methinks  Hrungnir  was  of  great 
might.  Did  Thor  accomplish  yet  more  valorous  deeds  when 
he  had  to  do  with  the  trolls?"  And  Bragi  answered:  "It 
is  worthy  to  be  told  at  length,  how  Thor  went  to  Geirrodr's 
dwelling.  At  that  time  he  had  not  the  hammer  Mjollnir 
with  him,  nor  his  Girdle  of  Might,  nor  the  iron  gauntlets: 
and  that  was  the  fault  of  Loki,  who  went  with  him.  For 
once,  flying  in  his  sport  with  Frigg's  hawk-plumage,  it  had 
happened  to  Loki  to  fly  for  curiosity's  sake  into  Geirrodr's 
court.  There  he  saw  a  great  hall,  and  alighted  and  looked 
in  through  the  window;  and  Geirrodr  looked  up  and  saw 
him,  and  commanded  that  the  bird  be  taken  and  brought  to 
him.  But  he  who  was  sent  could  scarce  get  to  the  top  of  the 
wall,  so  high  was  it;  and  it  seemed  pleasant  to  Loki  to  see 
the  man  striving  with  toil  and  pains  to  reach  him,  and  he 
thought  it  was  not  yet  time  to  fly  away  until  the  other  had 
accomplished  the  perilous  climb.  When  the  man  pressed 
hard  after  him,  then  he  stretched  his  wings  for  flight,  and 
thrust  out  vehemently,  but  now  his  feet  were  stuck  fast. 

*  Passages  enclosed  within  brackets  are  considered  by  Jonsson  to  be  spurious. 


122  PROSE  EDDA 

So  Loki  was  taken  and  brought  before  Geirrodr  the  giant; 
but  when  Geirrodr  saw  his  eyes,  he  suspected  that  this 
might  be  a  man,  and  bade  him  answer;  but  Loki  was  silent. 
Then  Geirrodr  shut  Loki  into  a  chest  and  starved  him 
there  three  months.  And  now  when  Geirrodr  took  him  out 
and  commanded  him  to  speak,  Loki  told  who  he  was;  and 
by  way  of  ransom  for  his  life  he  swore  to  Geirrodr  with 
oaths  that  he  would  get  Thor  to  come  into  Geirrodr's  dwell- 
ing in  such  a  fashion  that  he  should  have  neither  hammer 
nor  Girdle  of  Might  with  him. 

"Thor  came  to  spend  the  night  with  that  giantess  who 
was  called  Gridr,  mother  of  Vidarr  the  Silent.  She  told 
Thor  the  truth  concerning  Geirrodr,  that  he  was  a  crafty 
giant  and  ill  to  deal  with;  and  she  lent  him  the  Girdle  of 
Might  and  iron  gloves  which  she  possessed,  and  her  staff 
also,  which  was  called  Gridr's  Rod.  Then  Thor  proceeded 
to  the  river  named  Vimur,  greatest  of  all  rivers.  There  he 
girded  himself  with  the  Girdle  of  Might  and  braced  firmly 
downstream  with  Gridr's  Rod,  and  Loki  held  on  behind 
by  the  Girdle  of  Might.  When  Thor  came  to  mid-current, 
the  river  waxed  so  greatly  that  it  broke  high  upon  his  shoul- 
ders. Then  Thor  sang  this: 

Wax  thou  not  now,  Vimur, 
For  I  fain  would  wade  thee 
Into  the  Giants'  garth: 
Know  thou,  if  thou  waxest. 
Then  waxeth  God-strength  in  me 
As  high  up  as  the  heaven. 

"Then  Thor  saw  Gjalp,  daughter  of  Geirrodr,  stand- 
ing in  certain  ravines,  one  leg  in  each,  spanning  the  river, 


THE  POESY  Of  SKALDS  123 

and  she  was  causing  the  spate.  Then  Thor  snatched  up  a 
great  stone  out  of  the  river  and  cast  it  at  her,  saying  these 
words:  ^At  its  source  should  a  river  be  stemmed.'  Nor  did 
he  miss  that  at  which  he  threw.  In  that  moment  he  came 
to  the  shore  and  took  hold  of  a  rowan-clump,  and  so 
climbed  out  of  the  river;  whence  comes  the  saying  that 
rowan  is  Thor's  deliverance. 

"Now  when  Thor  came  before  Geirrodr,  the  com- 
panions were  shown  first  into  the  goat-fold^  for  their  en- 
tertainment, and  there  was  one  chair  there  for  a  seat,  and 
Thor  sat  there.  Then  he  became  aware  that  the  chair  moved 
under  him  up  toward  the  roof:  he  thrust  Gridr's  Rod  up 
against  the  rafters  and  pushed  back  hard  against  the  chair. 
Then  there  was  a  great  crash,  and  screaming  followed. 
Under  the  chair  had  been  Geirrodr's  daughters,  Gjalp  and 
Greip;  and  he  had  broken  both  their  backs.  Then  Geirrodr 
had  Thor  called  into  the  hall  to  play  games.  There  were 
great  fires  the  whole  length  of  the  hall.  When  Thor  came 
up  over  against  Geirrodr,  then  Geirrodr  took  up  a  glow- 
ing bar  of  iron  with  the  tongs  and  cast  it  at  Thor.  Thor 
caught  it  with  his  iron  gloves  and  raised  the  bar  in  the  air, 
but  Geirrodr  leapt  behind  an  iron  pillar  to  save  himself. 
Thor  lifted  up  the  bar  and  threw  it,  and  it  passed  through 
the  pillar  and  through  Geirrodr  and  through  the  wall, 
and  so  on  out,  even  into  the  earth.  Eilifr  Gudrunarson  has 
wrought  verses  on  this  story,  in  Thorsdrapa  : 

[The  winding  sea-snake's  father 
Did  wile  from  home  the  slayer 

'  So  Cod.  Reg.  and  Cod.  Worm,  j  Cod.  Upsal.  and  Cod.  Hypn.  read  gesta  hus 
^guest's  house.  Gering,  Simrock,  and  Anderson  prefer  the  latter  reading,  I 
have  followed  Jonsson  in  accepting  geita  hus. 


124  PROSE  EDDA 

Of  the  life  of  the  gods'  grim  foemen; 

—  (Ever  was  Loptr  a  liar)  — 
The  never  faithful  Searcher 

Of  the  heart  of  the  fearless  Thunderer 
Declared  green  ways  were  lying 
To  the  walled  stead  of  Geirrodr. 

No  long  space  Thor  let  Loki 
Lure  him  to  the  going: 
They  yearned  to  overmaster 
Thorn's  offspring,  when  the  Seeker 
Of  Idi's  garth,  than  giants 
Greater  in  might,  made  ready 
In  ancient  days,  for  faring 
To  the  Giants'  Seat,  from  Odin's. 

Further  in  the  faring 
Forward  went  warlike  Thjalfi 
With  the  divine  Host-Cheerer 
Than  the  deceiving  lover 
Of  her  of  enchanted  singing: 

—  (I  chant  the  Ale  of  Odin)  — 
The  hill  dame's  Mocker  measured 
The  moor  with  hollow  foot-soles. 

And  the  war-wonted  journeyed 
Till  the  hill-women's  Waster 
Came  to  Gangr's  blood,  the  Vimurj 
Then  Loki's  bale-repeller, 
Eager  in  anger,  lavish 
Of  valor,  longed  to  struggle 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  125 

Against  the  maid,  kinswoman 
Of  the  sedge-cowled  giant. 

And  the  honor-lessener 

Of  the  Lady  of  the  Sea-Crag 

Won  foot-hold  in  the  surging 

Of  the  hail-rolled  leaping  hill-spate; 

The  rock-knave's  swift  Pursuer 

Passed  the  broad  stream  of  his  staff's  road, 

Where  the  foam-flecked  mighty  rivers 

Frothed  with  raging  venom. 

There  they  set  the  staves  before  them 
In  the  streaming  grove  of  dogfish; 
The  wind-wood's  slippery  pebbles, 
Smitten  to  speech,  slept  not; 
The  clashing  rod  did  rattle 
'Gainst  the  worn  rocks,  and  the  rapid 
Of  the  fells  howled,  storm-smitten. 
On  the  river's  stony  anvil. 

The  Weaver  of  the  Girdle 
Beheld  the  washing  slope-stream 
Fall  on  his  hard-grown  shoulders: 
No  help  he  found  to  save  him; 
The  Minisher  of  hill-folk 
Caused  Might  to  grow  within  him 
Even  to  the  roof  of  heaven, 
Till  the  rushing  flood  should  ebb. 

The  fair  warriors  of  the  iEsir, 
In  battle  wise,  fast  waded, 


126  PROSE  EDDA 

And  the  surging  pool,  sward-sweeping, 

Streamed:  the  earth-drift's  billow, 

Blown  by  the  mighty  tempest, 

Tugged  with  monstrous  fury 

At  the  terrible  oppressor 

Of  the  earth-born  tribe  of  cave- folk. 

Till  Thjalfi  came  uplifted 

On  his  lord  Thor's  wide  shield-strap: 

That  was  a  mighty  thew-test 

For  the  Prop  of  Heaven;  the  maidens 

Of  the  harmful  giant  stiffly 

Held  the  stream  stubborn  against  them; 

The  Giantess-Destroyer 

With  Gridr's  stafF  fared  sternly. 

Nor  did  their  hearts  of  rancor 

Droop  in  the  men  unblemished, 

Nor  courage  'gainst  the  headlong 

Fall  of  the  current  fail  them: 

A  fiercer-daring  spirit 

Flamed  in  the  dauntless  God's  breast, — 

With  terror  Thor's  staunch  heart-stone 

Trembled  not,  nor  Thjalfi's. 

And  afterward  the  haters 

Of  the  host  of  sword-companions, 

The  shatterers  of  bucklers. 

Dinned  on  the  shield  of  giants, 

Ere  the  destroying  peoples 

Of  the  shingle-drift  of  monsters 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  127 

Wrought  the  helm-play  of  Hedinn 
'Gainst  the  rock-dwelling  marksmen. 

The  hostile  folk  of  sea-heights 

Fled  before  the  Oppressor 

Of  headland  tribes;  the  dalesmen 

Of  the  hill-tops,  imperilled, 

Fled,  when  Odin's  kindred 

Stood,  enduring  staunchly; 

The  Danes  of  the  flood-reef's  border 

Bowed  down  to  the  Flame-Shaker. 

Where  the  chiefs,  with  thoughts  of  valor 
Imbued,  marched  into  Thorn's  house, 
A  mighty  crash  resounded 
Of  the  cave's  ring-wall;  the  slayer 
Of  the  mountain-reindeer-people 
On  the  giant-maiden's  wide  hood 
Was  brought  in  bitter  peril: 
There  was  baleful  peace-talk. 

And  they  pressed  the  high  head,  bearing 
The  piercing  brow-moon's  eye-flame 
Against  the  hill-hall's  rafters; 
On  the  high  roof-tree  broken 
He  crushed  those  raging  women: 
The  swinging  Storm-car's  Guider 
Burst  the  stout,  ancient  back-ridge 
And  breast-bones  of  both  women. 

Earth's  Son  became  familiar 

With  knowledge  strange;  the  cave-men 


128  PROSE  EDDA 

Of  the  land  of  stone  o'ercame  not, 
Nor  long  with  ale  were  merry: 
The  frightful  elm-string's  plucker, 
The  friend  of  Sudri,  hurtled 
The  hot  bar,  in  the  forge  fused, 
Into  the  hand  of  Odin's  Gladdener. 

So  that  Gunnr's  Swift-Speeder 
Seized  (the  Friend  of  Freyja), 
With  quick  hand-gulps,  the  molten 
High-raised  draught  of  metal. 
When  the  fire-brand,  glowing. 
Flew  with  maddened  fury 
From  the  giant's  gripping  fingers 
To  the  grim  Sire  of  Thrudr. 

The  hall  of  the  doughty  trembled 
When  he  dashed  the  massy  forehead 
Of  the  hill-wight  'gainst  the  bottom 
Of  the  house-wall's  ancient  column; 
Ullr's  glorious  step-sire 
With  the  glowing  bar  of  mischief 
Struck  with  his  whole  strength  downward 
At  the  hill-knave's  mid-girdle. 

The  God  with  gory  hammer 
Crushed  utterly  Glaumr's  lineage; 
The  Hunter  of  the  Kindred 
Of  the  hearth-dame  was  victorious; 
The  Plucker  of  the  Bow-String 
Lacked  not  his  people's  valor, — 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  129 

The  Chariot-God,  who  swiftly 

Wrought  grief  to  the  Giant's  bench-thanes. 

He  to  whom  hosts  make  offering 
Hewed  down  the  dolt-Hke  dwellers 
Of  the  cloud-abyss  of  Elf-Home, 
Crushing  them  with  the  fragment 
Of  Gridr's  Rod:  the  litter 
Of  hawks,  the  race  of  Listi 
Could  not  harm  the  help-strong 
Queller  of  Ella's  Stone-Folk.] 

XIX.  "  How  should  one  periphrase  Frigg  ?  Call  her  Daugh- 
ter of  Fjorgynn,  Wife  of  Odin,  Mother  of  Baldr,  Co- Wife 
of  Jord  and  Rindr  and  Gunnlod  and  Gridr,  Mother-in-law 
of  Nanna,  Lady  of  the  iEsir  and  Asynjur,  Mistress  of 
FuUa  and  of  the  Hawk-Plumage  and  of  Fensalir. 

XX.  "How  should  one  periphrase  Freyja?  Thus:  by  call- 
ing her  Daughter  of  Njordr,  Sister  of  Freyr,  Wife  of  Odr, 
Mother  of  Hnoss,  Possessor  of  the  Slain,  of  Sessrumnir,  of 
the  Gib-Cats,  and  of  Brisinga-men;  Goddess  of  theVanir, 
Lady  of  the  Vanir,  Goddess  Beautiful  in  Tears,  Goddess 
of  Love.  All  the  goddesses  may  be  periphrased  thus:  by 
calling  them  by  the  name  of  another,  and  naming  them  in 
terms  of  their  possessions  or  their  works  or  their  kindred. 

[XXL  "How  should  Sif  be  periphrased?  By  calling  her 
Wife  of  Thor,  Mother  of  Ullr,  Fair-Haired  Goddess,  Co- 
Wife  of  Jarnsaxa,  Mother  of  Thrudr. 

XXH.  "  How  should  Idunn  be  periphrased  ?  Thus :  by  call- 


130  PROSE  EDDA 

ing  her  Wife  of  Bragi,  and  Keeper  of  the  Apples;  and  the 
apples  should  be  called  Age-Elixir  of  the  Msir.  Idunn  is 
also  called  Spoil  of  the  Giant  Thjazi,  according  to  the  tale 
that  has  been  told  before,  how  he  took  her  away  from  the 
iEsir.  Thjodolfr  of  Hvin  composed  verses  after  that  tale 
in  the  Haustlbng: 

How  shall  I  make  voice-payment 

Meetly  for  the  shield-bridge 

•  •••••• 

Of  the  war-wall  Thorleifr  gave  me? 
I  survey  the  truceless  faring 
Of  the  three  gods  strife-foremost, 
And  Thjatsi's,  on  the  shining 
Cheek  of  the  shield  of  battle. 

The  Spoiler  of  the  Lady 

Swiftly  flew  with  tumult 

To  meet  the  high  god-rulers 

Long  hence  in  eagle-plumage; 

The  erne  in  old  days  lighted 

Where  the  i^sir  meat  were  bearing 

To  the  fire-pit;  the  Giant 

Of  the  rocks  was  called  no  faint-heart. 

The  skilful  god-deceiver 

To  the  gods  proved  a  stern  sharer 

Of  bones:  the  high  Instructor 

Of  ^sir,  helmet-hooded. 

Saw  some  power  checked  the  seething; 

The  sea-mew,  very  crafty, 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  131 

Spake  from  the  ancient  tree-trunk; 
Loki  was  ill-willed  toward  him. 


The  wolfish  monster  ordered 
Meili's  Sire  to  deal  him 
Food  from  the  holy  trencher: 
The  friend  of  Him  of  Ravens 
To  blow  the  fire  was  chosen; 
The  Giant-King,  flesh-greedy, 
Sank  down,  where  the  guileless 
Craft-sparing  gods  were  gathered. 

The  comely  Lord  of  All  Things 

Commanded  Loki  swiftly 

To  part  the  bull's-meat,  slaughtered 

By  Skadi's  ringing  bow-string. 

Among  the  folk,  but  straightway 

The  cunning  food-defiler 

Of  the  vEsir  filched  the  quarters, 

All  four,  from  the  broad  table. 

And  the  hungry  Sire  of  Giants 

Savagely  ate  the  yoke-beast 

From  the  oak-tree's  sheltering  branches. 

That  was  in  ancient  ages, — 

Ere  the  wise-minded  Loki, 

Warder  of  war-spoil,  smote  him, 

Boldest  of  foes  of  Earth-Folk, 

With  a  pole  betwixt  the  shoulders. 

The  Arm-Burden  then  of  Sigyn, 
Whom  all  the  gods  in  bonds  see. 


132  PROSE  EDDA 

Firmly  forthwith  was  fastened 

To  the  Fosterer  of  Skadi; 

To  Jotunheim's  Strong  Dweller 

The  pole  stuck,  and  the  fingers 

Of  Loki  too,  companion 

Of  Hcenir,  clung  to  the  pole's  end. 

The  Bird  of  Blood  flew  upward 
(Blithesome  in  his  quarry) 
A  long  way  off  with  Loki, 
The  lither  God,  that  almost 
Wolf's  Sire  was  rent  asunder; 
Thor's  friend  must  sue  for  mercy. 
Such  peace  as  he  might  purchase 
To  pray:  nigh  slain  was  Loptr. 

Then  Hymir's  Kinsman  ordered 
The  crafty  god,  pain-maddened. 
To  wile  to  him  the  Maiden 
Who  warded  the  iEsir's  age-cure; 
Ere  long  the  necklace-robber, 
Brisinga's  thief,  lured  slyly 
The  Dame  of  Brunnakr's  brooklet 
Into  the  Base  One's  dwelling. 

At  that  the  steep  slope-dwellers 
No  sorrow  felt;  then  Idunn 
Was  from  the  south,  by  giants 
New-stolen,  come  among  them. 
All  Ingvi-Freyr's  high  kindred. 
Hoary  and  old,  to  council 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  133 

Hasted ;  grewsome  of  fashion 
And  ugly  all  the  gods  were. 


This  heard  I,  that  the  Staunch  Friend 
Of  Hoenir — oft  thereafter 
With  wiles  he  tricked  the  iEsir — 
Flew,  in  hawk-wings  hidden; 
And  the  vile  Sire  of  Giants, 
Vigorous  Wing-Plume-Wielder, 
Hurtled  on  eagle-pinion 
After  the  hawk-shaped  Loki. 

Swiftly  the  gods  have  kindled 
A  fire;  and  the  sovereign  rulers 
Sustained  the  flame  with  shavings: 
Scorched  was  the  flying  giant, — 
He  plunged  down  in  mid-soaring: 
'Tis  pictured  on  the  giant's 
Sole-bridge,  the  shield  which,  painted 
With  stories,  Thorleifr  gave  me.] 

"This  is  the  correct  manner  of  periphrasing  the  iEsir: 
To  call  each  of  them  by  the  name  of  another,  and  to  des- 
ignate him  in  terms  of  his  works  or  his  possessions  or  his 
kindred. 

XXni.  "How  should  the  heaven  be  periphrased?  Thus: 
call  it  Skull  of  Ymir,  and  hence.  Giant's  Skull;  Task  or 
Burden  of  the  Dwarves,  or  Helm  of  Vestri  and  Austri, 
Sudri,  or  Nordri ;  Land  of  the  Sun,  of  the  Moon,  and  of  the 

'"Brjalaour  texti" — Jonsson,  £^^/^  (Reykjavik,  1907),  p.  384. The  condition 
of  the  text  makes  translation  impossible. 


134  PROSE  EDDA 

Stars  of  Heaven,  of  the  Wains  and  the  Winds;  Helm, 
or  House,  of  the  Air  and  the  Earth  and  the  Sun.  So  sang 
Arnorr  Earls'-Skald : 

So  large  of  gifts  ne'er  mounted 
Young  Lord  of  Shields  on  ship-deck 
'Neath  the  ancient  Skull  of  Ymir: 
Splendid  this  Prince's  largess. 

And  as  he  sang  again: 

Bright  grows  the  sun  at  dusking, 
The  earth  sinks  into  the  dark  sea. 
The  Toil  of  Austri  bursteth; 
All  the  ocean  on  the  fells  breaks. 

Thus  sang  Bodvarr  the  Halt: 

For  never  'neath  the  Sun's  Plain 
Shall  come  a  nobler  Land-Ward, 
Keener  in  battle-onset. 
Nor  a  brother  of  Ingi  better. 

And  as  Thjodolfr  of  Hvin  sang: 

Jord's  Son  drove  to  the  steel-play 

(High  swelled  the  godlike  anger 

In  the  mind  of  Meili's  Brother), 

And  the  Moon-Way  'neath  him  quivered. 

Even  as  sang  Ormr  Barrey's-Skald : 

Lady  of  Draupnir's  gore-streak. 
However  great  I  know  him. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  135 

The  wielder  (by  right  he  ruleth) 
Of  the  Wain's  Road  sees  me  gladly. 

Even  as  the  skald  Bragi  sang: 

He  who  threw  the  dead  eyes 
Of  Thjazi,  Skadi's  father, 
Into  the  Winds'  Wide  Basin 
O'er  the  abodes  of  men-folk  many. 

And  as  Markiis  sang: 

'Tis  long  since  the  dear-loved  Warder 

Of  sea-men  was  born  on  the  wave-girt  earth-bottom 

Of  the  Storm-Container;  each  man  praises 

The  sublime  age  of  the  Ring-Dispenser. 

Even  as  Steinn  Herdisarson  sang: 

I  sing  the  holy  Ruler 
Of  the  high  World-Tent  rather 
Than  men,  for  very  precious 
Is  He:  His  praises  tell  I. 

And  as  Arnorr  Earls'-Skald  sang: 

Help,  dear  King  of  Heaven, 

The  Day's  Plain,  help  my  Hermundr. 

And  as  Arnorr  sang  further: 

Soothfast  King  of  the  Sun-Tents, 
Help  stout-hearted  Rognvaldr. 


136  PROSE  EDDA 

And  as  Hallvardr  sang: 

Kniitr  wards  the  land,  as  the  Ruler 
Of  All  wards  the  radiant  Fell-Hall. 

As  Arnorr  sang: 

Michael,  wise  of  understanding. 

Weighs  what  seems  done  ill,  and  good  things: 

Then  the  Monarch  of  the  Sun's  Helm 

At  the  Doom-Seat  parts  all  mortals. 

XXIV.  "How  should  one  periphrase  the  earth?  Thus:  by 
calling  her  Flesh  of  Ymir,  and  Mother  of  Thor,  Daughter 
of  Onarr,  Odin's  Bride,  Co- Wife  of  Frigg  and  Rindr  and 
Gunnlod,  Mother-in-law  of  Sif,  Floor  and  Bottom  of  the 
Storm-Hall,  Sea  of  Beasts,  Daughter  of  Night,  Sister  of 
Audr  and  of  Day.  Even  as  Eyvindr  Skald-Despoiler  sang: 

Now  the  beaming  gold  is  hidden 
In  the  body  of  the  Mother 
Of  the  Giants'  Foe;  the  counsels 
Of  a  kindred  strong  are  mighty. 

As  sang  Hallfredr  Troublous-Skald: 

In  council  *t  was  determined 
That  the  King's  friend,  wise  in  counsel. 
Should  wed  the  Land,  sole  Daughter 
Of  Onarr,  greenly  wooded. 

And  he  said  further: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  137 

The  Raven-Abode's  brave  Ruler 
Got  the  broad-faced  Bride  of  Odin, 
The  Land,  with  kingly  counsels 
Of  weapons,  lured  unto  him. 


Even  as  Thjodolfr  sang: 


The  Ruler,  glad  in  Warriors, 

In  the  rowed  hull  doth  fasten 

The  ships  of  men  to  the  strand's  end, 

At  the  head  of  the  sea  keel-ridden. 


As  Hallfredr  sang 


Full  loath  to  let  the  Land  slip 
I  hold  the  lordly  Spear- Prince: 
Audr's  sister  is  subjected 
To  the  splendid  Treasure-Spender. 

Thus  sang  Thjodolfr: 

Far  off  the  dart-slow  sluggard 
Stood,  when  the  Sword-Inciter 
In  ancient  days  took  to  him 
The  unripe  Co-Wife  of  Rindr. 

XXV.  "How  should  one  periphrase  the  sea?  Thus:  by 
calling  it  Ymir's  Blood;  Visitor  of  the  Gods;  Husband  of 
Ran;  Father  of  iEgir's  Daughters,  of  them  who  are  called 
Himinglaeva,  Dufa,  Blodughadda,  Hefring,  Udr,  Hronn, 
Bylgja,  Bara,  Kolga;  Land  of  Ran  and  of  ^gir's  Daugh- 
ters, of  Ships  and  of  ships'  names,  of  the  Keel,  of  Beaks, 
of  Planks  and  Seams,  of  Fishes,  of  Ice;  Way  and  Road  of 


138  PROSE  EDDA 

Sea-Kings;  likewise  Encircler  of  Islands;  House  of  Sands 
and  of  Kelp  and  of  Reefs;  Land  of  Fishing-gear,  of  Sea- 
Fowls,  and  of  P'air  Wind.  Even  as  Ormr  Barrey's-Skald 
sang: 

On  the  gravelly  beach  of  good  ships 

Grates  the  Blood  of  Ymir. 

As  Refr  sang: 

The  mild  deer  of  the  masthead  beareth 
O'er  the  murky  water  from  the  westward 
Her  wave-pressed  bows;  the  land  I  look  for 
Before  the  beak;  the  Whale-Home  shallows. 

Even  as  Steinn  sang: 

When  the  fallow  fell-walPs  Whirlwinds 
Wove  o'er  the  waves  full  fiercely, 
And  iEgir's  storm-glad  daughters 
Tore,  of  grim  frost  begotten. 

And  as  Refr  sang: 

Gymir's  wet-cold  Spae-Wife 
Wiles  the  Bear  of  Twisted  Cables 
Oft  into  i^gir's  wide  jaws, 
Where  the  angry  billow  breaketh. 

It  is  said  here  that  ^gir  and  Gymir  are  both  the  same. 
And  he  sang  further: 

And  the  Sea-Peak's  Sleipnir  slitteth 
The  stormy  breast  rain-driven. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  139 

The  wave,  with  red  stain  running 
Out  of  white  Ran's  mouth. 


As  Einarr  Skulason  sang: 


The  stern  snow-wind  has  thrust  out 
With  strength,  the  ship  from  landward 
The  Swan-Land's  steed  sees  Iceland 
Into  the  surf  receding. 


And  as  he  sang  further: 


Many  a  stiff  rowlock  straineth. 
And  the  noisy  Strand  of  Fish-Gear, 
The  Sea,  the  lands  o'ercometh : 
Men's  hands  oft  span  the  stays. 


And  he  sang  yet  further: 


The  gray  Isle-Fetter  urges 
Heiti's  raven-ship  onward; 
Gold  beaks  the  fleet  ships  carry: 
Rich  that  faring  to  the  Chieftain, 


And  he  sang  again: 


The  Isle-Rim  autumn  chilly 
Impels  the  dock's  cold  snowshoe. 


And  thus  also: 


The  cool  lands'  Surging-Girdle 
Before  the  beaks  springs  asunder. 


I40  PROSE  EDDA 

As  Snaebjorn  sang: 

They  say  nine  brides  of  skerries 
Swiftly  move  the  Sea-Churn 
Of  Grotti's  Island-Flour-Bin 
Beyond  the  Earth's  last  outskirt, — 
They  who  long  the  corny  ale  ground 
Of  Amlodi;  the  Giver 
Of  Rings  now  cuts  with  ship's  beak 
The  Abiding-Place  of  boat-sides. 

Here  the  sea  is  called  Amlodi's  Churn. 
As  Einarr  Skulason  sang: 

The  sturdy  drive-nails  weaken 
In  the  swift  swirl,  where  paleth 
Rakni's  Heaving  Plain:  wind 
Puffs  the  reefs  against  the  stays. 

XXVI.  "How  should  one  periphrase  the  sun?  By  calling 
her  Daughter  of  Mundilfari,  Sister  of  the  Moon,  Wife  of 
Glenr,  Fire  of  Heaven  and  of  the  Air.  Even  as  Skiili  Thor- 
steinsson  sang: 

Glenr's  god-blithe  Bed-Mate  wadeth 
Into  the  Goddess's  mansion 
With  rays;  then  the  good  Hght  cometh 
Of  gray-sarked  Mani  downward. 

Thus  sang  Einarr  Skulason : 

Whereso  the  lofty  flickering 

Flame  of  the  World's  Hall  swimmeth 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  141 

O'er  our  loved  friend,  who  hateth 
And  lavisheth  the  sea-gold. 

XXVII.  "How  should  the  wind  be  periphrased?Thus:  call 
it  Son  of  Fornjotr,  Brother  of  the  Sea  and  of  Fire,  Scathe 
or  Ruin  or  Hound  or  Wolf  of  the  Wood  or  of  the  Sail  or 
of  the  Rigging. 

Thus  spake  Sveinn  in  the  Nordrsetu-drapa : 

First  began  to  fly 
Fornjotr's  sons  ill-shapen. 

XXVIII.  "How  should  one  periphrase  fire?  Thus:  call 
it  Brother  of  the  Wind  and  the  Sea,  Ruin  and  Destruc- 
tion of  Wood  and  of  Houses,  Halfr's  Bane,  Sun  of 
Houses. 

XXIX.  "How  should  winter  be  periphrased?  Thus:  call 
it  Son  of  Vindsvalr,  Destruction  of  Serpents,  Tempest- 
Season.  Thus  sang  Ormr  Steinthorsson: 

To  the  blind  man  I  profFer 
This  blessing:  Vindsvalr's  Son. 

Thus  sang  Asgrimr: 

The  warlike  Spoil-Bestower, 
Lavish  of  Wealth,  that  winter — 
Snake's- Woe  —  in  Thrandheim  tarried; 
The  folk  knew  thy  true  actions. 

XXX.  "How  should  one  periphrase  summer?  Thus:  call 


142  PROSE  EDDA 

it  Son  of  Svasudr  and  Comfort  of  Serpents,  and  Growth 
of  Men.  Even  as  Egill  Skallagrimsson  sang: 

We  shall  wave  our  swords,  O  Dyer 
Of  Wolf's  Teeth,  make  them  glitter: 
A  deed  we  have  for  wreaking 
In  the  Comfort  of  Dale-Serpents. 

XXXI.  "How  should  man  be  periphrased?  By  his  works, 
by  that  which  he  gives  or  receives  or  does;  he  may  also  be 
periphrased  in  terms  of  his  property,  those  things  which  he 
possesses,  and,  if  he  be  liberal,  of  his  liberality;  likewise 
in  terms  of  the  families  from  which  he  descended,  as  well 
as  of  those  which  have  sprung  from  him.  How  is  one  to 
periphrase  him  in  terms  of  these  things  ?  Thus :  by  calling 
him  accomplisher  or  performer  of  his  goings  or  his  con- 
duct, of  his  battles  or  sea-voyages  or  huntings  or  weapons 
or  ships.  And  because  he  is  a  tester  of  weapons  and  a  win- 
ner of  battles, — the  words  for  'winner'  and  'wood'  being 
the  same,  as  are  also  those  for  'tester'  and  'rowan,'  — 
therefore,  from  these  phrases,  skalds  have  called  man  Ash 
or  Maple,  Grove,  or  other  masculine  tree-names,  and  peri- 
phrased him  in  such  expressions  in  terms  of  battles  or  ships 
or  possessions.  It  is  also  correct  to  periphrase  man  with 
all  the  names  of  the  ^Esir;  also  with  giant-terms,  and  this 
last  is  for  the  most  part  for  mocking  or  libellous  purposes. 
Periphrasis  with  the  names  of  elves  is  held  to  be  favorable. 
"Woman  should  be  periphrased  with  reference  to  all 
female  garments,  gold  and  jewels,  ale  or  wine  or  any  other 
drink,  or  to  that  which  she  dispenses  or  gives;  likewise 
with  reference  to  ale-vessels,  and  to  all  those  things  which 
it  becomes  her  to  perform  or  to  give.  It  is  correct  to  peri- 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  143 

phrase  her  thus:  by  calHng  her  giver  or  user  of  that  of  which 
she  partakes.  But  the  words  for  'giver'  and  'user'  are  also 
names  of  trees;  therefore  woman  is  called  in  metaphor- 
ical speech  by  all  feminine  tree-names.  Woman  is  peri- 
phrased  with  reference  to  jewels  or  agates  for  this  reason  : 
in  heathen  times  what  was  called  a  'stone-necklace/  which 
they  wore  about  the  neck,  was  a  part  of  a  woman's  apparel; 
now  it  is  used  figuratively  in  such  a  way  as  to  periphrase 
woman  with  stones  and  all  names  of  stones.  Woman  is  also 
metaphorically  called  by  the  names  of  the  Asynjur  or  the 
Valkyrs  or  Norns  or  women  of  supernatural  kind.  It  is  also 
correct  to  periphrase  woman  in  terms  of  all  her  conduct 
or  property  or  family. 

XXXII.  "  How  should  gold  be  periphrased  ?  Thus :  by  call- 
ing it  ^gir's  Fire,  and  Needles  of  Glasir,  Hair  of  Sif,  Snood 
of  Fulla,  Freyja's  Tears,  Talk  and  Voice  and  Word  of 
Giants,  Draupnir's  Drop  and  Rain  or  Shower  of  Draup- 
nir,  or  of  Freyja's  Eyes,  Otter's  Ransom,  Forced  Payment 
of  the  ^sir.  Seed  of  Fyris-Plain,  Cairn-Roof  of  Holgi, 
Fire  of  all  Waters  and  of  the  Hand,  Stone  and  Reef  or 
Gleam  of  the  Hand. 

XXXIII."  Wherefore  is  gold  called  ^gir's  Fire?  This  tale 
is  to  the  same  purport  as  we  have  told  before:  JEgir  went 
to  Asgard  to  a  feast,  but  when  he  was  ready  to  return  home, 
he  invited  Odin  and  all  the  ^sir  to  visit  him  in  three 
months'  time.  First  came  Odin  and  Njordr,  Freyr,  Tyr, 
Bragi,  Vidarr,  Loki;  likewise  the  Asynjur:  Frigg,  Freyja, 
Gefjun,  Skadi,  Idunn,  Sif.  Thor  was  not  there,  having 
gone  into  the  eastern  lands  to  slay  trolls.  When  the  gods  had 
sat  down  in  their  places,  straightway  ^Egir  had  bright  gold 


144  PROSE  EDDA 

brought  in  onto  the  floor  of  the  hall,  and  the  gold  gave 
forth  light  and  illumined  the  hall  like  fire :  and  it  was  used 
there  for  lights  at  his  banquet,  even  as  in  Valhall  swords 
were  used  in  place  of  fire.  Then  Loki  bandied  sharp  words 
with  all  the  gods,  and  slew  one  of  iEgir's  thralls,  him  who 
was  called  Five-Finger;  another  of  his  thralls  was  named 
Fire-Kindler.  Ran  is  the  name  of  iEgir's  wife,  and  their 
daughters  are  nine,  even  as  we  have  written  before.  At 
this  feast  all  things  were  self-served,  both  food  and  ale,  and 
all  implements  needful  to  the  feast.  Then  the  iEsir  became 
aware  that  Ran  had  that  net  wherein  she  was  wont  to  catch 
all  men  who  go  upon  the  sea.  Now  this  tale  is  to  show 
whence  it  comes  that  gold  is  called  Fire  or  Light  or  Bright- 
ness of  ^gir,of  Ran,or  of  iEgir's  daughters;  and  now  such 
use  is  made  of  these  metaphors  that  gold  is  called  Fire 
of  the  Sea,  and  of  all  names  of  the  sea,  even  as  JEgir  or 
Ran  had  names  associated  with  the  sea.  Therefore  gold  is 
now  called  Fire  of  Waters  or  of  Rivers,  and  of  all  river- 
names. 

"But  these  names  have  fared  just  as  other  figures  also 
have  done:  the  later  skalds  have  composed  after  the  exam- 
ples of  the  old  skalds,  even  those  examples  which  stood  in 
their  poems,  but  were  later  expanded  into  such  forms  as 
seemed  to  later  poets  to  be  like  what  was  written  before: 
as  a  lake  is  to  the  sea,  or  the  river  to  the  lake,  or  the  brook 
to  the  river.  Therefore  all  these  are  called  new  figures,  when 
terms  are  expanded  to  greater  length  than  what  was  re- 
corded before;  and  all  this  seems  well  and  good,  so  far  as  it 
concurs  with  verisimilitude  and  nature.  As  Bragi  the  Skald 
sang: 

I  was  given  by  the  Battler 

The  fire  of  the  Brook  of  Sea-Fish: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  145 

He  gave  it  me,  with  mercy, 

For  the  Drink  of  the  Mountain-Giant. 


XXXIV.  "Why  is  gold  called  the  Needles,  or  Leaves,  of 
Glasir?  In  Asgard,  before  the  doors  of  Valhall, there  stands 
a  grove  which  is  called  Glasir,  and  its  leafage  is  all  red 
gold,  even  as  is  sung  here: 

Glasir  stands 

With  golden  leafage 

Before  the  High  God's  halls. 

Far  and  wide,  this  tree  is  the  fairest  known  among  gods 
and  men. 

XXXV.  "Why  is  gold  called  SiPs  Hair?  Loki  Laufeyar- 
son,  for  mischiefs  sake,  cut  off  all  SiPs  hair.  But  when 
Thor  learned  of  this,  he  seized  Loki,  and  would  have 
broken  every  bone  in  him,  had  he  not  sworn  to  get  the 
Black  Elves  to  make  Sif  hair  of  gold,  such  that  it  would 
grow  like  other  hair.  After  that,  Loki  went  to  those  dwarves 
who  are  called  Ivaldi's  Sons;  and  they  made  the  hair,  and 
Skidbladnir  also,  and  the  spear  which  became  Odin's  pos- 
session, and  was  called  Gungnir.  Then  Loki  wagered  his 
head  with  the  dwarf  called  Brokkr  that  Brokkr's  brother 
Sindri  could  not  make  three  other  precious  things  equal 
in  virtue  to  these.  Now  when  they  came  to  the  smithy, 
Sindri  laid  a  pigskin  in  the  hearth  and  bade  Brokkr  blow, 
and  did  not  cease  work  until  he  took  out  of  the  hearth 
that  which  he  had  laid  therein.  But  when  he  went  out  of 
the  smithy,  while  the  other  dwarf  was  blowing,  straight- 
way a  fly  settled  upon  his  hand  and  stung:  yet  he  blew  on 


146  PROSE  EDDA 

as  before,  until  the  smith  took  the  work  out  of  the  hearth; 
and  it  was  a  boar,  with  mane  and  bristles  of  gold.  Next, 
he  laid  gold  in  the  hearth  and  bade  Brokkr  blow  and  cease 
not  from  his  blast  until  he  should  return.  He  went  out; 
but  again  the  fly  came  and  settled  on  Brokkr's  neck,  and 
bit  now  half  again  as  hard  as  before;  yet  he  blew  even 
until  the  smith  took  from  the  hearth  that  gold  ring  which 
is  called  Draupnir.  Then  Sindri  laid  iron  in  the  hearth  and 
bade  him  blow,  saying  that  it  would  be  spoiled  if  the  blast 
failed.  Straightway  the  fly  settled  between  Brokkr's  eyes 
and  stung  his  eyelid,  but  when  the  blood  fell  into  his  eyes 
so  that  he  could  not  see,  then  he  clutched  at  it  with  his 
hand  as  swiftly  as  he  could, — while  the  bellows  grew  flat, 
— and  he  swept  the  fly  from  him.  Then  the  smith  came 
thither  and  said  that  it  had  come  near  to  spoiling  all  that 
was  in  the  hearth.  Then  he  took  from  the  forge  a  hammer, 
put  all  the  precious  works  into  the  hands  of  Brokkr  his 
brother,  and  bade  him  go  with  them  to  Asgard  and  claim 
the  wager. 

"  Now  when  he  and  Loki  brought  forward  the  precious 
gifts,  the  iEsir  sat  down  in  the  seats  of  judgment;  and 
that  verdict  was  to  prevail  which  Odin,  Thor,  and  Freyr 
should  render.  Then  Loki  gave  Odin  the  spear  Gungnir, 
and  to  Thor  the  hair  which  Sif  was  to  have,  and  Skid- 
bladnir  to  Freyr,  and  told  the  virtues  of  all  these  things: 
that  the  spear  would  never  stop  in  its  thrust;  the  hair 
would  grow  to  the  flesh  as  soon  as  it  came  upon  SiPs  head; 
and  Skidbladnir  would  have  a  favoring  breeze  as  soon  as 
the  sail  was  raised,  in  whatsoever  direction  it  might  go, 
but  could  be  folded  together  like  a  napkin  and  be  kept  in 
Freyr's  pouch  if  he  so  desired.  Then  Brokkr  brought  for- 
ward his  gifts :  he  gave  to  Odin  the  ring,  saying  that  eight 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  147 

rings  of  the  same  weight  would  drop  from  it  every  ninth 
night;  to  Freyr  he  gave  the  boar,  saying  that  it  could  run 
through  air  and  water  better  than  any  horse,  and  it  could 
never  become  so  dark  with  night  or  gloom  of  the  Murky 
Regions  that  there  should  not  be  sufficient  light  where  he 
went,  such  was  the  glow  from  its  mane  and  bristles.  Then 
he  gave  the  hammer  to  Thor,  and  said  that  Thor  might 
smite  as  hard  as  he  desired,  whatsoever  might  be  before 
him,  and  the  hammer  would  not  fail;  and  if  he  threw  it 
at  anything,  it  would  never  miss,  and  never  fly  so  far  as 
not  to  return  to  his  hand;  and  if  he  desired,  he  might  keep 
it  in  his  sark,  it  was  so  small;  but  indeed  it  was  a  flaw  in 
the  hammer  that  the  fore-haft  was  somewhat  short. 

"This  was  their  decision :  that  the  hammer  was  best  of 
all  the  precious  works,  and  in  it  there  was  the  greatest  de- 
fence against  the  Rime-Giants;  and  they  gave  sentence, 
that  the  dwarf  should  have  his  wager.  Then  Loki  off'ered 
to  redeem  his  head,  but  the  dwarf  said  that  there  was  no 
chance  of  this.  'Take  me,  then,'  quoth  Loki;  but  when 
Brokkr  would  have  laid  hands  on  him,  he  was  a  long  way 
off.  Loki  had  with  him  those  shoes  with  which  he  ran 
through  air  and  over  water.  Then  the  dwarf  prayed  Thor 
to  catch  him,  and  Thor  did  so.  Then  the  dwarf  would  have 
hewn  off^  his  head;  but  Loki  said  that  he  might  have  the 
head,  but  not  the  neck.  So  the  dwarf  took  a  thong  and  a 
knife,  and  would  have  bored  a  hole  in  Loki's  lips  and 
stitched  his  mouth  together, but  the  knife  did  not  cut.  Then 
Brokkr  said  that  it  would  be  better  if  his  brother's  awl  were 
there:  and  even  as  he  named  it,  the  awl  was  there,  and 
pierced  the  lips.  He  stitched  the  lips  together,  and  Loki 
ripped  the  thong  out  of  the  edges.  That  thong,  with  which 
Loki's  mouth  was  sewn  together,  is  called  Vartari. 


148  PROSE  EDDA 

XXXVI.  "One  may  hear  how  gold  is  metaphorically 
called  Fulla's  Snood,  in  this  verse  which  Eyvindr  Skald- 
Despoiler  wrought: 

Fulla's  shining  Fillet, 
The  forehead's  sun  at  rising. 
Shone  on  the  swelling  shield-hill 
For  skalds  all  Hakon's  life-days. 

XXXVII.  "Gold  is  called  Freyja's  Tears,  as  was  said 
before.  So  sang  Skiili  Thorsteinsson : 

Many  a  fearless  swordsman 
Received  the  Tears  of  Freyja 
The  more  the  morn  when  foemen 
We  murdered;  we  were  present. 

And  as  Einarr  Skiilason  sang: 

Where,  mounted  'twixt  the  carvings. 
The  Tear  of  Mardoll  lieth, 
We  bear  the  axe  shield-splitting. 
Swollen  with  Serpent's  lair-gold. 

And  here  Einarr  has  further  periphrased  Freyja  so  as  to  call 
her  Mother  of  Hnoss,  or  Wife  of  Odr,  as  standeth  below : 

The  shield,  tempest's  strong  roof-ice. 
With  tear-gold  is  unminished. 
Eye-rain  of  Odr's  Bed-Mate: 
His  age  the  King  so  useth. 

And  again  thus: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  149 

Horn's  Child,  the  glorious  adornment, 

I  own,  gold-wound — a  jewel 

Most  fair — to  the  shield's  rim 

Fast  is  the  golden  Sea-Flame: 

On  the  gem,  Freyr's  Niece,  the  tear-drift 

Of  the  forehead  of  her  Mother 

She  bears;  the  Raven-Feeder 

Gave  me  Frodi's  seed-gold's  fostering. 

It  is  also  recorded  here  that  one  may  periphrase  Freyja  by 
calling  her  Sister  of  Freyr. 
And  thus  also: 

A  defence  of  songs  full  goodly 
He  freely  gave  me,  neighbor 
Of  sea-scales:  I  praise  gladly 
Njordr's  Daughter's  golden  gem-child. 

Here  she  is  called  Daughter  of  Njordr. 
And  again  thus: 

The  awesome  Stately  Urger 
Of  Odin,  he  who  raises 
The  struggle  stern,  gave  to  me 
The  courage-stalwart  daughter 
Of  the  Vana-Bride,  my  fair  axe; 
The  valorous  sword-mote's  Ruler 
Led  Gefn's  girl  to  the  Skald's  bed. 
Set  with  the  sea-flame's  gold-work. 

Here  she  is  called  Gefn  and  Bride  of  the  Vanir.  —  It  is 
proper  to  join  'tears'  with  all  the  names  of  Freyja,  and 


150  PROSE  EDDA 

to  call  gold  by  such  terms ;  and  in  divers  ways  these  peri- 
phrases have  been  varied,  so  that  gold  is  called  Hail,  or 
Rain,  or  Snow-Storm,  or  Drops,  or  Showers,  or  Water- 
falls, of  Freyja's  Eyes,  or  Cheeks,  or  Brows,  or  Eyelids. 

XXXVIII.  "In  this  place  one  may  hear  that  gold  is  called 
Word,  or  Voice,  of  Giants,  as  we  have  said  before;  thus 
sang  Bragi  the  Skald: 

Then  had  I  the  third  friend 

Fairly  praised:  the  poorest 

In  the  Voice  of  the  Botched-Knob's  Ali, 

But  best  of  all  to  me. 

He  called  a  rock  Botched  Knob,  and  a  giant  Ali  of  Rock, 
and  gold  Voice  of  the  Giant. 

XXXIX.  "For  what  reason  is  gold  called  Otter's  Wergild? 
It  is  related  that  when  certain  of  the  ^sir,  Odin  and  Loki 
and  Hoenir,  went  forth  to  explore  the  earth,  they  came  to 
a  certain  river,  and  proceeded  along  the  river  to  a  water- 
fall. And  beside  the  fall  was  an  otter,  which  had  taken  a 
salmon  from  the  fall  and  was  eating,  blinking  his  eyes  the 
while.  Then  Loki  took  up  a  stone  and  cast  it  at  the  otter, 
and  struck  its  head.  And  Loki  boasted  in  his  catch,  that 
he  had  got  otter  and  salmon  with  one  blow.  Then  they  took 
up  the  salmon  and  the  otter  and  bore  them  along  with  them, 
and  coming  to  the  buildings  of  a  certain  farm, they  went  in. 
Now  the  husbandman  who  dwelt  there  was  named  Hreid- 
marr :  he  was  a  man  of  much  substance,  and  very  skilled  in 
black  magic.  The^sir  asked  him  for  a  night's  lodging,  say- 
ing that  they  had  sufficient  food  with  them, and  showed  him 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  151 

their  catch.  But  when  Hreidmarr  saw  the  otter,  straight- 
way he  called  to  him  his  sons,  Fafnir  and  Reginn,  and  told 
them  that  the  otter  their  brother  was  slain,  and  who  had 
done  that  deed. 

"  Now  father  and  sons  went  up  to  the  iEsir,  seized  them, 
bound  them,  and  told  them  about  the  otter,  how  he  was 
Hreidmarr's  son.  The  ^Esir  offered  a  ransom  for  their  lives, 
as  much  wealth  as  Hreidmarr  himself  desired  to  appoint; 
and  a  covenant  was  made  between  them  on  those  terms, 
and  confirmed  with  oaths.  Then  the  otter  was  flayed,  and 
Hreidmarr,  taking  the  otter-skin,  bade  them  fill  the  skin 
with  red  gold  and  also  cover  it  altogether;  and  that  should 
be  the  condition  of  the  covenant  between  them.  There- 
upon Odin  sent  Loki  into  the  Land  of  the  Black  Elves, 
and  he  came  to  the  dwarf  who  is  called  Andvari,  who  was 
as  a  fish  in  the  water.  Loki  caught  him  in  his  hands  and 
required  of  him  in  ransom  of  his  life  all  the  gold  that  he 
had  in  his  rock;  and  when  they  came  within  the  rock,  the 
dwarf  brought  forth  all  the  gold  he  had,  and  it  was  very 
much  wealth.  Then  the  dwarf  quickly  swept  under  his  hand 
one  little  gold  ring,  but  Loki  saw  it  and  commanded  him 
to  give  over  the  ring.  The  dwarf  prayed  him  not  to  take 
the  ring  from  him,  saying  that  from  this  ring  he  could 
multiply  wealth  for  himself  if  he  might  keep  it.  Loki  an- 
swered that  he  should  not  have  one  penny  left,  and  took 
the  ring  from  him  and  went  out;  but  the  dwarf  declared 
that  that  ring  should  be  the  ruin  of  every  one  who  should 
come  into  possession  of  it.  Loki  replied  that  this  seemed 
well  enough  to  him,  and  that  this  condition  should  hold 
good  provided  that  he  himself  brought  it  to  the  ears  of  them 
that  should  receive  the  ring  and  the  curse.  He  went  his 
way  and  came  to   Hreidmarr's  dwelling,  and  showed  the 


152  PROSE  EDDA 

gold  to  Odin;  but  when  Odin  saw  the  ring,  it  seemed  fair 
to  him,  and  he  took  it  away  from  the  treasure,  and  paid 
the  gold  to  Hreidmarr.  Then  Hreidmarr  filled  the  otter- 
skin  as  much  as  he  could,  and  set  it  up  when  it  was  full. 
Next  Odin  went  up,  having  the  skin  to  cover  with  gold, 
and  he  bade  Hreidmarr  look  whether  the  skin  were  yet 
altogether  hidden.  But  Hreidmarr  looked  at  it  searchingly, 
and  saw  one  of  the  hairs  of  the  snout,  and  commanded 
that  this  be  covered,  else  their  covenant  should  be  at  an 
end.  Then  Odin  drew  out  the  ring,  and  covered  the  hair, 
saying  that  they  were  now  delivered  from  their  debt  for  the 
slaying  of  the  otter.  But  when  Odin  had  taken  his  spear, 
and  Loki  his  shoes,  and  they  had  no  longer  any  need  to  be 
afraid,  then  Loki  declared  that  the  curse  which  Andvari 
had  uttered  should  be  fulfilled:  that  this  ring  and  this  gold 
should  be  the  destruction  of  him  who  received  it;  and  that 
was  fulfilled  afterward.  Now  it  has  been  told  wherefore 
gold  is  called  Otter's  Wergild,  or  Forced  Payment  of  the 
iEsir,  or  Metal  of  Strife. 

XL.  "  What  more  is  to  be  said  of  the  gold  ?  Hreidmarr  took 
the  gold  for  his  son's  wergild,  but  Fafnir  and  Reginn 
claimed  some  part  of  their  brother's  blood-money  for  them- 
selves. Hreidmarr  would  not  grant  them  one  penny  of  the 
gold.  This  was  the  wicked  purpose  of  those  brethren:  they 
slew  their  father  for  the  gold.  Then  Reginn  demanded  that 
Fafnir  share  the  gold  with  him,  half  for  half.  Fafnir  an- 
swered that  there  was  little  chance  of  his  sharing  it  with 
his  brother,  seeing  that  he  had  slain  his  father  for  its  sake; 
and  he  bade  Reginn  go  hence,  else  he  should  fare  even  as 
Hreidmarr.  Fafnir  had  taken  the  helmet  which  Hreidmarr 
had  possessed,  and  set  it  upon  his  head  (this  helmet  was 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  153 

called  the  Helm  of  Terror,  of  which  all  living  creatures  that 
see  it  are  afraid),  and  the  sword  called  Hrotti.  Reginn  had 
that  sword  which  was  named  Refill.  So  he  fled  away,  and 
Fafnir  went  up  to  Gnita  Heath,  and  made  himself  a  lair, 
and  turned  himself  into  a  serpent,  and  laid  him  down  upon 
the  gold. 

"Then  Reginn  went  to  King  Hjalprekr  at  Thjod,  and 
there  he  became  his  smith;  and  he  took  into  his  fostering 
Sigurdr,  son  of  Sigmundr,  Volsungr's  son,  and  of  Hjor- 
dis,  daughter  of  Eylimi.  Sigurdr  was  most  illustrious  of  all 
Host-Kings  in  race,  in  prowess,  and  in  mind.  Reginn 
declared  to  him  where  Fafnir  lay  on  the  gold,  and  incited 
him  to  seek  the  gold.  Then  Reginn  fashioned  the  sword 
Gramr,  which  was  so  sharp  that  Sigurdr,  bringing  it  down 
into  running  water,  cut  asunder  a  flock  of  wool  which 
drifted  down-stream  onto  the  sword's  edge.  Next  Sigurdr 
clove  Reginn's  anvil  down  to  the  stock  with  the  sword. 
After  that  they  went,  Sigurdr  and  Reginn,  to  Gnita  Heath, 
and  there  Sigurdr  dug  a  pit  in  Fafnir's  way  and  laid  him- 
self in  ambush  therein.  And  when  Fafnir  glided  toward  the 
water  and  came  above  the  pit,  Sigurdr  straightway  thrust 
his  sword  through  him,  and  that  was  his  end. 

"Then  Reginn  came  forward,  saying  that  Sigurdr  had 
slain  his  brother,and  demanded  as  a  condition  of  reconcilia- 
tion that  he  take  Fafnir's  heart  and  roast  it  with  fire;  and 
Reginn  laid  him  down  and  drank  the  blood  of  Fafnir,  and 
settled  himself  to  sleep.  But  when  Sigurdr  was  roasting  the 
heart,  and  thought  that  it  must  be  quite  roasted,  he  touched 
it  with  his  finger  to  see  how  hard  it  was;  and  then  the  juice 
ran  out  from  the  heart  onto  his  finger,  so  that  he  was  burned 
and  put  his  finger  to  his  mouth.  As  soon  as  the  heart's 
blood  came  upon  his  tongue,  straightway  he  knew  the  speech 


154  PROSE  EDDA 

of  birds,  and  he  understood  what  the  nuthatches  were  say- 
ing which  were  sitting  in  the  trees.  Then  one  spake: 

There  sits  Sigurdr 
Blood-besprinkled, 
Fafnir's  heart 
With  flame  he  roasteth: 
Wise  seemed  to  me 
The  Spoiler  of  Rings 
If  the  gleaming 
Life-fibre  he  ate. 

There  lies  Reginn  —  sang  another — 

Rede  he  ponders, 

Would  betray  the  youth 

Who  trusteth  in  him: 

In  his  wrath  he  plots 

Wrong  accusation; 

The  smith  of  bale 

Would  avenge  his  brother. 

Then  Sigurdr  went  over  to  Reginn  and  slew  him,  and  thence 
to  his  horse,  which  was  named  Grani,  and  rode  till  he  came 
to  Fafnir's  lair.  He  took  up  the  gold,  trussed  it  up  in  his 
saddle-bags,  laid  it  uponGrani's  back,  mounted  up  himself, 
and  then  rode  his  ways.  Now  the  tale  is  told  why  gold  is 
called  Lair  or  Abode  of  Fafnir,  or  Metal  of  Gnita  Heath, 
or  Grani's  Burden. 

XLI.  "Then  Sigurdr  rode  on  till  he  found  a  house  on  the 
mountain,  wherein  a  woman  in  helm  and  birnie  lay  sleep- 
ing. He  drew  his  sword  and  cut  the  birnie  from  her:  she 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  155 

awoke  then,  and  gave  her  name  as  Hildr :  she  is  called  Bryn- 
hildr,  and  was  a  Valkyr.  Sigurdr  rode  away  and  came  to 
the  king  who  was  named  Gjiiki,  whose  wife  was  Grim- 
hildr;  their  children  were  Gunnarr,  Hogni,  Gudrun,  Gudny; 
GotthormrwasGjuki's  stepson.  Sigurdr  tarried  there  a  long 
time,  and  then  he  obtained  the  hand  of  Gudrun,  daughter 
of  Gjiiki,  and  Gunnarr  and  Hogni  swore  oaths  of  blood- 
brotherhood  with  Sigurdr.  Thereafter  Sigurdr  and  the  sons 
of  Gjuki  went  unto  Atli,  Budli's  son,  to  sue  for  the  hand 
of  Brynhildr  his  sister  in  marriage  to  Gunnarr.  Brynhildr 
abode  on  Hinda-Fell,  and  about  her  hall  there  was  a  flar- 
ing fire;  and  she  had  made  a  solemn  vow  to  take  none  but 
that  man  who  should  dare  to  ride  through  the  flaring  fire. 

"Then  Sigurdr  and  the  sons  of  Gjuki  (who  were  also 
called  Niflungs)  rode  up  onto  the  mountain,  and  Gunnarr 
should  have  ridden  through  the  flaring  fire:  but  he  had  the 
horse  named  Goti,  and  that  horse  dared  not  leap  into  the 
fire.  So  they  exchanged  shapes,  Sigurdr  and  Gunnarr,  and 
names  likewise;  for  Grani  would  go  under  no  man  but  Sig- 
urdr. Then  Sigurdr  leapt  onto  Grani  and  rode  through  the 
flaring  fire.  That  eve  he  was  wedded  with  Brynhildr.  But 
when  they  came  to  bed,  he  drew  the  Sword  Gramr  from  its 
sheath  and  laid  it  between  them.  In  the  morning  when  he 
arose  and  clothed  himself,  he  gave  Brynhildr  as  linen-fee 
the  same  gold  ring  which  Loki  had  taken  from  Andvari, 
and  took  another  ring  from  her  hand  for  remembrance. 
Then  Sigurdr  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  to  his  fellows, 
and  he  and  Gunnarr  changed  shapes  again  and  went  home 
to  Gjuki  with  Brynhildr.  Sigurdr  and  Gudrun  had  two 
children,  Sigmundr  and  Svanhildr. 

"It  befell  on  a  time  that  Brynhildr  and  Gudrun  went  to 
the  water  to  wash  their  hair.  And  when  they  came  to  the 


156  PROSE  EDDA 

river,  Brynhildr  waded  out  from  the  bank  well  into  the 
river,  saying  that  she  would  not  touch  to  her  head  the  water 
which  ran  out  of  the  hair  of  Gudrun,  since  herself  had  the 
more  valorous  husband.  Then  Gudrun  went  into  the  river 
after  her  and  said  that  it  was  her  right  to  wash  her  hair 
higher  upstream,  for  the  reason  that  she  had  to  husband 
such  a  man  as  neither  Gunnarr  nor  any  other  in  the  world 
matched  in  valor,  seeing  that  he  had  slain  Fafnir  and  Reginn 
and  succeeded  to  the  heritage  of  both.  And  Brynhildr  made 
answer:  ^It  was  a  matter  of  greater  worth  that  Gunnarr 
rode  through  the  flaring  fire  and  Sigurdr  durst  not.'  Then 
Gudrun  laughed,  and  said:  'Dost  thou  think  that  Gun- 
narr rode  through  the  flaring  fire  ?  Now  I  think  that  he  who 
went  into  the  bride,-bed  with  thee  was  the  same  that  gave 
me  this  gold  ring;  and  the  gold  ring  which  thou  bearest  on 
thine  hand  and  didst  receive  for  linen-fee  is  called  And- 
vari's  Yield,  and  I  believe  that  it  was  not  Gunnarr  who 
got  that  ring  on  Gnita  Heath.'  Then  Brynhildr  was  silent, 
and  went  home. 

"  After  that  she  egged  on  Gunnarr  and  Hogni  to  slay  Sig- 
urdr; but  because  they  were  Sigurdr's  sworn  blood-brothers, 
they  stirred  up  Gotthormr  their  brother  to  slay  him.  He 
thrust  his  sword  through  Sigurdr  as  he  slept;  but  when 
Sigurdr  felt  the  wound,  he  hurled  his  sword  Gramr  after 
Gotthormr,  so  that  it  cut  the  man  asunder  at  the  middle. 
There  fell  Sigurdr  and  Sigmundr,  his  son  of  three  win- 
ters, whom  they  slew.  Then  Brynhildr  stabbed  herself  with 
a  sword,  and  she  was  burned  with  Sigurdr;  but  Gunnarr 
and  Hogni  took  Fafnir's  heritage  and  Andvari's  Yield,  and 
ruled  the  lands  thereafter. 

"  King  Atli,  Budli's  son,  and  brother  of  Brynhildr,  then 
wedded  Gudrun,  whom  Sigurdr  had  had  to  wife;  and  they 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  157 

had  children.  King  Atli  invited  to  him  Gunnarr  and  Hogni, 
and  they  came  at  his  invitation.  Yet  before  they  departed 
from  their  land,  they  hid  the  gold,  Fafnir's  heritage,  in  the 
Rhine, and  that  gold  has  never  since  been  found.  Now  King 
Atli  had  a  host  in  readiness,  and  fought  with  Gunnarr  and 
Hogni;  and  they  were  made  captive.  King  Atli  bade  the 
heart  be  cut  out  of  Hogni  alive,  and  that  was  his  end.  Gun- 
narr he  caused  to  be  cast  into  a  den  of  serpents.  But  a  harp 
was  brought  secretly  to  Gunnarr,  and  he  struck  it  with  his 
toes,  his  hands  being  bound;  he  played  the  harp  so  that  all 
the  serpents  fell  asleep,  saving  only  one  adder,  which  glided 
over  to  him  and  gnawed  into  the  cartilage  of  his  breast- 
bone so  far  that  her  head  sank  within  the  wound,  and  she 
clove  to  his  liver  till  he  died.  Gunnarr  and  Hogni  were 
called  Niflungs  and  Gjukungs,  for  which  reason  gold  is 
called  Treasure,  or  Heritage,  of  the  Niflungs. 

["A  little  while  after,  Gudriin  slew  her  two  sons,  and 
caused  flagons  to  be  made  of  their  skulls,  set  with  gold  and 
silver.  Then  the  funeral-feast  was  held  for  the  Niflungs; 
and  at  this  feast  Gudriin  had  mead  poured  into  the  flagons 
for  King  Atli,  and  the  mead  was  mixed  with  the  blood  of 
the  boys.  Moreover,  she  caused  their  hearts  to  be  roasted 
and  set  before  the  king,  that  he  might  eat  of  them.  And 
when  he  had  eaten,  then  she  herself  told  him  what  she  had 
done,  with  many  scathing  words.  There  was  no  lack  of 
strong  drink  there,  so  that  most  of  the  company  had  fallen 
asleep  where  they  sat.  That  night  she  went  to  the  king  while 
he  slept,  and  Hogni's  son  with  her;  they  smote  the  king, 
and  that  was  the  death  of  him.  Then  they  set  fire  to  the 
hall,  and  burned  the  folk  that  were  within.  After  that  she 
went  to  the  shore  and  leaped  into  the  sea,  desiring  to  make 


158  PROSE  EDDA 

an  end  of  herself;  but  she  was  tossed  by  the  billows  over 
the  firth,  and  was  borne  to  King  Jonakr's  land.  And  when 
he  saw  her,  he  took  her  to  him  and  wedded  her,  and  they 
had  three  sons,  called  Sorli,  Hamdir,  and  Erpr:  they  were 
all  raven-black  of  hair,  like  Gunnarr  and  Hogni  and  the 
other  Niflungs.  There  Svanhildr,  daughter  of  the  youth  Sig- 
urdr,  was  reared,  and  of  all  women  she  was  fairest.  King 
Jormunrekkr  the  Mighty  learned  of  her  beauty,  and  sent 
his  son  Randver  to  woo  her  and  bring  her  to  be  his  wife. 
When  Randver  had  come  to  the  court  of  Jonakr,  Svanhildr 
was  given  into  his  hands,  and  he  should  have  brought  her  to 
King  Jormunrekkr.  But  Earl  Bikki  said  that  it  was  a  better 
thing  for  Randver  towed  Svandhildr,  since  he  and  she  were 
both  young,  whereas  Jormunrekkr  was  old.  This  counsel 
pleased  the  young  folk  well.  Thereupon  Bikki  reported  the 
matter  to  the  king.  Straightway,  King  Jormunrekkr  com- 
manded that  his  son  be  seized  and  led  to  the  gallows.  Then 
Randver  took  his  hawk  and  plucked  ofF  its  feathers,  and 
bade  that  it  be  sent  so  to  his  father;  after  which  he  was 
hanged.  But  when  King  Jormunrekkr  saw  the  hawk,  sud- 
denly it  came  home  to  him  that  even  as  the  hawk  was 
featherless  and  powerless  to  fly,  so  was  his  kingdom  shorn 
of  its  might,  since  he  was  old  and  childless.  Then  King 
Jormunrekkr,  riding  out  of  the  wood  where  he  had  been 
hunting,  beheld  Svanhildr  as  she  sat  washing  her  hair:  they 
rode  upon  her  and  trod  her  to  death  under  their  horses'  feet. 
"But  when  Gudrun  learned  of  this,  she  urged  on  her 
sons  to  take  vengeance  for  Svanhildr.  When  they  were  pre- 
paring for  their  journey,  she  gave  them  birnies  and  helmets 
so  strong  that  iron  could  not  bite  into  them.  She  laid  these 
instructions  upon  them :  that,  when  they  were  come  to  King 
Jormunrekkr,  they  should  go  up  to  him  by  night  as  he  slept: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  159 

Sorli  and  Hamdir  should  hew  off  his  hands  and  feet,  and 
Erpr  his  head.  But  when  they  were  on  their  way,  they  asked 
Erpr  what  help  they  might  expect  from  him,  if  they  met 
Kingjormunrekkr.  He  answered  that  he  would  render  them 
such  aid  as  the  hand  affords  the  foot.  They  said  that  that 
help  which  the  foot  received  from  the  hand  was  altogether 
nothing.  They  were  so  wroth  with  their  mother  that  she 
had  sent  them  away  with  angry  words,  and  they  desired 
so  eagerly  to  do  what  would  seem  worst  to  her,  that  they 
slew  Erpr,  because  she  loved  him  most  of  all.  A  little  later, 
while  Sorli  was  walking,  one  of  his  feet  slipped,  and  he  sup- 
ported himself  on  his  hand;  and  he  said:  'Now  the  hand 
assists  the  foot  indeed;  it  were  better  now  that  Erpr  were 
living.'  Now  when  they  came  to  King  Jormunrekkr  by 
night,  where  he  was  sleeping,  and  hewed  hands  and  feet  off 
him,  he  awoke  and  called  upon  his  men,  and  bade  them 
arise.  And  then  Hamdir  spake,  saying:  'The  head  had  been 
off  by  now,  if  Erpr  lived.'  Then  the  henchmen  rose  up 
and  attacked  them,  but  could  not  overmaster  them  with 
weapons;  and  Jormunrekkr  called  out  to  them  to  beat  them 
with  stones,  and  it  was  done.  There  Sorli  and  Hamdir  fell, 
and  now  all  the  house  and  offspring  of  Gjiiki  were  dead. 
A  daughter  named  Aslaug  lived  after  young  Sigurdr;  she 
was  reared  with  Heimir  in  Hlymdalir,  and  great  houses  are 
sprung  from  her.  It  is  said  that  Sigmundr,  Volsungr's  son, 
was  so  strong  that  he  could  drink  venom  and  receive  no 
hurt;  and  Sinfjotli  his  son  and  Sigurdr  were  so  hard-skinned 
that  no  venom  from  without  could  harm  them :  wherefore 
Bragi  the  Skald  has  sung  thus: 

When  the  wriggling  Serpent 

Of  the  Volsung's  Drink  hung  writhing 


i6o  PROSE  EDDA 

On  the  hook  of  the  Foeman 
Of  Hill-Giants'  kindred. 


Most  skalds  have  made  verses  and  divers  short  tales  from 
these  sagas.  Bragi  the  Old  wrote  of  the  fall  of  Sorli  and 
Hamdir  in  that  song  of  praise  which  he  composed  on  Rag- 
narr  Lodbrok: 

Once  Jormunrekkr  awakened 

To  an  ill  dream,  'mid  the  princes 

Blood-stained,  while  swords  were  swirling: 

A  brawl  burst  in  the  dwelling 

Of  Randver's  royal  kinsman, 

When  the  raven-swarthy 

Brothers  of  Erpr  took  vengeance 


For  all  the  bitter  sorrows.  l 

The  bloody  dew  of  corpses,  | 

O'er  the  king's  couch  streaming,  I 

Fell  on  the  floor  where,  severed,  ^ 

Feet  and  hands  blood-dripping  | 

Were  seen;  in  the  ale-cups'  fountain  I 

He  fell  headlong,  gore-blended :  ''I 
On  the  Shield,  Leaf  of  the  Bushes 
Of  Leifi's  Land,  't  is  painted. 

There  stood  the  shielded  swordsmen. 

Steel  biting  not,  surrounding  ^ 

The  king's  couch;  and  the  brethren 

Hamdir  and  Sorli  quickly 

To  the  earth  were  beaten 

By  the  prince's  order. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  i6i 

To  the  Bride  of  Odin 

With  hard  stones  were  battered. 


The  swirling  weapons'  Urger 
Bade  Gjuki's  race  be  smitten 
Sore,  who  from  life  were  eager 
To  ravish  Svanhildr's  lover; 
And  all  pay  Jonakr's  offspring 
With  the  fair-piercing  weapon, 
The  render  of  blue  birnies, — 
With  bitter  thrusts  and  edges. 

I  see  the  heroes'  slaughter 
On  the  fair  shield-rim's  surface; 
Ragnarr  gave  me  the  Ship-Moon 
With  many  tales  marked  on  it.] 

XLII.  "Why  is  gold  called  Frodi's  Meal?  This  is  the  tale 
thereof:  One  of  Odin's  sons, named  Skjoldr, —  from  whom 
the  Skjoldungs  are  come, — had  his  abode  and  ruled  in  the 
realm  which  now  is  called  Denmark,  but  then  was  known 
as  Gotland.  Skjoldr's  son,  who  ruled  the  land  after  him,  was 
named  Fridleifr.  Fridleifr's  son  was  Frodi:  he  succeeded  to 
the  kingdom  after  his  father,  in  the  time  when  Augustus 
Caesar  imposed  peace  on  all  the  world;  at  that  time  Christ 
was  born.  But  because  Frodi  was  mightiest  of  all  kings  in 
the  Northern  lands, the  peace  was  called  by  his  name  wher- 
ever the  Danish  tongue  was  spoken;  and  men  call  it  the 
Peace  of  Frodi.  No  man  injured  any  other,  even  though  he 
met  face  to  face  his  father's  slayer  or  his  brother's,  loose 
or  bound.  Neither  was  there  any  thief  nor  robber  then,  so 
that  a  gold  ring  lay  long  on  Jalangr's  Heath.  King  Frodi 


i62  PROSE  EDDA 

went  to  a  feast  in  Sweden  at  the  court  of  the  king  who 
was  called  Fjolnir,  and  there  he  bought  two  maid-servants, 
Fenja  and  Menja:  they  were  huge  and  strong.  In  that  time 
two  mill-stones  were  found  in  Denmark,  so  great  that  no 
one  was  so  strong  that  he  could  turn  them :  the  nature  of 
the  mill  was  such  that  whatsoever  he  who  turned  asked 
for,  was  ground  out  by  the  mill-stones.  This  mill  was  called 
Grotti.  He  who  gave  King  Frodi  the  mill  was  named  Hen- 
gikjoptr.  King  Frodi  had  the  maid-servants  led  to  the  mill, 
and  bade  them  grind  gold ;  and  they  did  so.  First  they  ground 
gold  and  peace  and  happiness  for  Frodi;  then  he  would  grant 
them  rest  or  sleep  no  longer  than  the  cuckoo  held  its  peace 
or  a  song  might  be  sung.  It  is  said  that  they  sang  the  song 
which  is  called  the  Lay  of  Grotti,  and  this  is  its  beginning: 

Now  are  we  come 
To  the  king's  house, 
The  two  fore-knowing, 
Fenja  and  Menja: 
These  are  with  Frodi 
Son  of  Fridleifr, 
The  Mighty  Maidens, 
As  maid-thralls  held. 

And  before  they  ceased  their  singing,  they  ground  out  a 
host  against  Frodi,  so  that  the  sea-king  called  Mysingr  came 
there  that  same  night  and  slew  Frodi,  taking  much  plunder. 
Then  the  Peace  of  Frodi  was  ended.  Mysingr  took  Grotti 
with  him,  and  Fenja  and  Menja  also,  and  bade  them  grind 
salt.  And  at  midnight  they  asked  whether  Mysingr  were  not 
weary  of  salt.  He  bade  them  grind  longer.  They  had  ground 
but  a  little  while,  when  down  sank  the  ship;  and  from  that 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  163 

time  there  has  been  a  whirlpool  in  the  sea  where  the  water 
falls  through  the  hole  in  the  mill-stone.  It  was  then  that 
the  sea  became  salt. 

["  The  lay  of  Grotti : 

They  to  the  flour-mill 

Were  led,  those  maidens, 

And  bidden  tirelessly 

To  turn  the  gray  mill-stone: 

He  promised  to  neither 

Peace  nor  surcease 

Till  he  had  heard 

The  handmaids'  singing. 

They  chanted  the  song 
Of  the  ceaseless  mill-stone: 
'  Lay  we  the  bins  right, 
Lift  we  the  stones!' 
He  urged  the  maidens 
To  grind  on  ever. 

They  sung  and  slung 
The  whirling  stone 
Till  the  men  of  Frodi 
For  the  most  part  slept; 
Then  spake  Menja, 
To  the  mill  coming: 

'Wealth  grind  we  for  Frodi, 
We  grind  it  in  plenty. 


i64  PROSE  EDDA 

Fullness  of  fee 
At  the  mill  of  fortune : 
Let  him  sit  on  riches 
And  sleep  on  down; 
Let  him  wake  in  weal: 
Then  well  't  is  ground. 

'Here  may  no  one 
Harm  another, 
Contrive  evil, 
Nor  cast  wiles  for  slaying, 
Nor  slaughter  any 
With  sword  well  sharpened. 
Though  his  brother's  slayer 
In  bonds  he  find.' 

But  he  spake  no  word 
Save  only  this: 
'Sleep  ye  no  longer 
Than  the  hall-cuckoo's  silence. 
Nor  longer  than  so, 
While  one  song  is  sung.' 

'Thou  wast  not,  Frodi, 
P'ull  in  wisdom. 
Thou  friend  of  men. 
When  thou  boughtest  the  maidens 
Didst  choose  for  strength 
And  outward  seeming; 
But  of  their  kindred 
Didst  not  inquire. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  165 

'Hardy  was  Hrungnir, 
And  his  father; 
Yet  was  Thjazi 
Than  they  more  mighty: 
Idi  and  Aurnir 
Of  us  twain  are  kinsmen, — 
Brothers  of  Hill-Giants, 
Of  them  were  we  born. 

'Grotti  had  not  come 
From  the  gray  mountain, 
Nor  the  hard  boulder 
From  the  earth's  bosom, 
Nor  thus  would  grind 
The  Hill-Giants'  Maiden, 
If  any  had  known 
The  news  of  her. 

'We  nine  winters 
Were  playmates  together, 
Mighty  of  stature, 
'Neath  the  earth's  surface. 
The  maids  had  part 
In  mighty  works: 
Ourselves  we  moved 
Mighty  rocks  from  their  place. 

'We  rolled  the  rock 
O'er  the  Giants'  roof-stead, 
So  that  the  ground. 
Quaking,  gave  before  us; 


i66  PROSE  EDDA 

So  slung  we 
The  whirling  stone, 
The  mighty  boulder, 
Till  men  took  it. 


'And  soon  after 
In  Sweden's  realm, 
We  twain  fore-knowing 
Strode  to  the  fighting; 
Bears  we  hunted, 
And  shields  we  broke; 
We  strode  through 
The  gray-mailed  spear-host.  | 

'We  cast  down  a  king,  j 

We  crowned  another; 
To  Gotthormr  good 
We  gave  assistance; 
No  quiet  was  there 
Ere  Kntii  fell. 

'This  course  we  held 
Those  years  continuous, 
That  we  were  known 
For  warriors  mighty; 
There  with  sharp  spears 
Wounds  we  scored. 
Let  blood  from  wounds. 
And  reddened  the  brand. 

'Now  are  we  come 
To  the  king's  abode 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  167 

Of  mercy  bereft 

And  held  as  bond-maids; 

Clay  eats  our  foot-soles, 

Cold  chills  us  above; 

We  turn  the  Peace-Grinder: 

'T  is  gloomy  at  Frodi's. 

'  Hands  must  rest, 
The  stone  must  halt; 
Enough  have  I  turned. 
My  toil  ceases: 
Now  may  the  hands 
Have  no  remission 
Till  Frodi  hold 
The  meal  ground  fully. 

'The  hands  should  hold 
The  hard  shafts, 
The  weapons  gore-stained, — - 
Wake  thou,  Frodi! 
Wake  thou,  Frodi, 
If  thou  wouldst  hearken 
To  the  songs  of  us  twain 
And  to  ancient  stories. 

'Fire  I  see  burning 
East  of  the  burg. 
War-tidings  waken, 
A  beacon  of  warning: 
A  host  shall  come 
Hither,  with  swiftness. 


i68  PROSE  EDDA 

And  fire  the  dwellings 
Above  King  Frodi. 

'Thou  shalt  not  hold 
The  stead  of  Hleidr, 
The  red  gold  rings 
Nor  the  gods'  holy  altar; 
We  grasp  the  handle, 
Maiden,  more  hardly, — 
We  were  not  warmer 
In  the  wound-gore  of  corpses. 

'My  father's  maid 
Mightily  ground 
For  she  saw  the  feyness 
Of  men  full  many; 
The  sturdy  posts 
From  the  flour-box  started, 
Made  staunch  with  iron. 
Grind  we  yet  swifter. 

'Grind  we  yet  swifter! 
The  son  of  Yrsa, 
Halfdanr's  kinsman. 
Shall  come  with  vengeance 
On  Frodi's  head: 
Him  shall  men  call 
Yrsa's  son  and  brother. 
We  both  know  that/ 

The  maidens  ground. 
Their  might  they  tested. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  169 

Young  and  fresh 

In  giant-frenzy: 

The  bin-poles  trembled, 

And  burst  the  flour-box; 

In  sunder  burst 

The  heavy  boulder. 

And  the  sturdy  bride 
Of  Hill-Giants  spake: 
'We  have  ground,  O  Frodi! 
Soon  we  cease  from  grinding; 
The  women  have  labored 
O'er  long  at  the  grist.' 


Thus  sang  Einarr  Skulason : 


I  have  heard  that  Frodi's  hand-maids 

Ground  in  the  mill  full  gladly 

The  Serpent's  Couch;  with  gold-meal 

The  king  lets  peace  be  broken: 

The  fair  cheeks  of  my  axe-head, 

Fitted  with  maple,  show  forth 

Fenja's  Grist;  exalted 

Is  the  skald  with  the  good  king's  riches. 

So  sang  Egill: 

Glad  are  full  many  men 
In  Frodi's  meal.] 

XLIII.  "Why  is  gold  called  Kraki's  Seed?  In  Denmark 
there  was  a  king  called  Hrolfr  Kraki :  he  was  most  re- 


lyo  PROSE  EDDA 

nowned  of  all  ancient  kings  for  munificence,  valor,  and 
graciousness.  One  evidence  of  his  graciousness  which  is 
often  brought  into  stories  is  this:  A  little  lad  and  poor, 
Voggr  by  name,  came  into  the  hall  of  King  Hrolfr.  At 
that  time  the  king  was  young,  and  of  slender  stature. 
Voggr  came  into  his  presence  and  looked  up  at  him;  and 
the  king  said : '  What  wouldst  thou  say,  lad,  for  thou  look- 
est  at  me?'  Voggr  answered:  'When  I  was  at  home,  I 
heard  say  that  Hrolfr  the  king  at  Hleidr  was  the  great- 
est man  in  the  northern  lands ;  but  now  there  sitteth  in  the 
high  seat  a  little  pole,  and  he  is  called  King.'  Then  the 
king  made  answer:  'Thou,  boy,  hast  given  me  a  name,  so 
that  I  shall  be  called  Hrolfr  the  Pole  (Kraki);  and  it  is  the 
custom  that  the  giving  of  a  name  be  accompanied  by  a  gift. 
Now  I  see  that  with  the  name  which  thou  has  fastened  on 
me,  thou  hast  no  gift  such  as  would  be  acceptable  to  me, 
wherefore  he  that  has  wherewith  to  give  shall  give  to  the 
other.'  And  he  took  from  his  hand  a  gold  ring  and  gave  it 
to  him.  Then  Voggr  said:  'Above  all  kings  be  thou  most 
blessed  of  givers !  Now  I  swear  an  oath  that  I  shall  be  that 
man's  slayer  who  slays  thee.'  Then  spake  the  king,  laugh- 
ing loudly:  'Voggr  is  pleased  with  a  small  thing.' 

"  Another  example  is  the  tale  told  concerning  the  valor 
of  Hrolfr  Kraki:  That  king  whom  men  call  Adils  ruled 
over  Uppsala;  he  had  to  wife  Yrsa,  mother  of  Hrolfr  Kraki. 
He  was  at  strife  with  the  king  who  ruled  over  Norway, 
whose  name  was  Ali ;  the  two  joined  battle  on  the  ice  of  the 
lake  called  Vaeni.  King  Adils  sent  an  embassy  to  Hrolfr 
Kraki,  his  stepson,  praying  him  to  come  to  his  aid,  and 
promised  wages  to  all  his  host  so  long  as  they  should  be 
away;  King  Hrolfr  himself  should  have  three  precious 
gifts,  whatsoever  three  he  might  choose  from  all  Sweden. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  171 

King  Hrolfr  could  not  make  the  journey  in  person,  owing 
to  the  strife  in  which  he  was  engaged  with  the  Saxons;  but 
he  sent  to  Adils  his  twelve  berserks:  Bodvar-Bjarki  was 
there  for  one,  and  Hjalti  the  Stout-Hearted,  Hvitserkr  the 
Stern,  Vottr  Veseti,  and  the  brethren  Svipdagr  and  Bei- 
gudr.  In  that  battle  King  Ali  fell,  and  the  great  part  of  his 
host  with  him;  and  King  Adils  took  from  him  in  death  the 
helm  Battle-Swine  and  his  horse  Raven.  Then  the  berserks 
of  Hrolfr  Kraki  demanded  for  their  hire  three  pounds  of 
gold  for  each  man  of  them;  and  in  addition  they  required 
that  they  might  bear  to  Hrolfr  Kraki  those  gifts  of  price 
which  they  had  chosen  for  him :  which  were  the  Helm  Bat- 
tle-Boar and  the  birnie  Finn's  Heritage, — on  neither  of 
which  iron  would  take  hold, — and  the  gold  ring  which  was 
called  Pig  of  the  Swedes,  which  Adils'  forefathers  had  had. 
But  the  king  denied  them  all  these  things,  nor  did  he  so 
much  as  pay  their  hire:  the  berserks  went  away  ill-pleased 
with  their  share,  and  told  the  state  of  things  to  Hrolfr 
Kraki. 

^'Straightway  he  began  his  journey  to  Uppsala;  and 
when  he  had  brought  his  ships  into  the  river  Fyri,  he  rode 
at  once  to  Uppsala,  and  his  twelve  berserks  with  him,  all 
without  safe-conduct.  Yrsa,  his  mother,  welcomed  him 
and  led  him  to  lodgings,  but  not  to  the  king's  hall:  fires 
were  made  there  before  them,  and  ale  was  given  them  to 
drink.  Then  men  of  King  Adils  came  in  and  heaped  fire- 
wood onto  the  fire,  and  made  it  so  great  that  the  clothes 
were  burnt  off^  Hrolfr  and  his  men.  And  the  fellows  spake: 
'Is  it  true  that  Hrolfr  Kraki  and  his  berserks  shun  neither 
fire  nor  iron?'  Then  Hrolfr  Kraki  leapt  up,  and  all  they 
that  were  with  him;  and  he  said: 


172  PROSE  EDDA 

'Add  we  to  the  fire 
In  Adils'  dwelling!' 

took  his  shield  and  cast  it  onto  the  fire,  and  leapt  over  the 
flames,  while  the  shield  burnt;  and  he  spake  again: 

'He  flees  not  the  flames 
Who  o'er  the  fire  leapeth ! ' 

Even  so  did  his  men,  one  after  another;  and  they  laid  hands 
on  those  fellows  who  had  heaped  up  the  fire,  and  cast  them 
into  the  flames.  Then  Yrsa  came  and  gave  Hrolfr  Kraki 
a  deer's  horn  full  of  gold,  the  ring  Pig  of  the  Swedes  being 
with  the  gold;  and  she  bade  them  ride  away  to  the  host. 
They  vaulted  onto  their  horses  and  rode  down  into  the 
Plain  of  the  Fyri;  and  soon  they  saw  King  Adils  riding 
after  them  with  his  host  all  in  armor,  hoping  to  slay  them. 
Then  Hrolfr  Kraki  plunged  his  right  hand  down  into  the 
horn,  grasped  the  gold,  and  strewed  it  all  about  the  road. 
When  the  Swedes  saw  that,  they  leapt  down  out  of  their 
saddles,  and  each  took  up  as  much  as  he  could  lay  hold  of; 
but  King  Adils  bade  them  ride  on,  and  himself  rode  furi- 
ously. His  horse  was  called  Slongvir,  swiftest  of  all  horses. 
Then  Hrolfr  Kraki  saw  that  King  Adils  was  drawing  close 
up  to  him,  took  the  ring.  Pig  of  the  Swedes,  and  threw  it 
toward  him,  and  bade  him  receive  it  as  a  gift.  King  Adils 
rode  at  the  ring  and  thrust  at  it  with  his  spear-point,  and 
let  it  slide  down  over  the  shaft-socket.  Then  Hrolfr  Kraki 
turned  back  and  saw  how  he  bent  down,  and  spake:  'Now 
I  have  made  him  who  is  mightiest  of  Swedes  stoop  as  a 
swine  stoops.'  Thus  they  parted.  For  this  cause  gold  is 
called  Seed  of  Kraki  or  of  Fyri's  Plain.  Thus  sang  Ey  vindr 
Skald-Despoiler: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  173 

God  of  the  blade  of  battle, 

We  bear  through  Hakon's  life-days 

The  Seed  of  Fyri's  valley 

On  our  arms,  where  sits  the  falcon. 

Even  as  Thjodolfr  sang: 

The  king  sovi^s  the  bright  seed-corn 
Of  knuckle-splendid  gold  rings, 
With  the  crop  of  Yrsa's  offspring. 
In  his  company's  glad  hand-grasp; 
The  guileless  Land-Director 
With  Kraki's  gleaming  barley 
Sprinkles  my  arms,  the  flesh-grown 
Seat  of  the  hooded  falcon. 

XLI V.  "  It  is  said  that  the  king  called  Holgi,  from  whom 
Halogaland  is  named,  was  the  father  of  Thorgerdr  Holga- 
brudr;  sacrifice  was  made  to  both  of  them,  and  a  cairn  was 
raised  over  Holgi:  one  layer  of  gold  or  silver  (that  was  the  sac- 
rificial money),  and  another  layer  of  mould  and  stones. 
Thus  sang  Skiili  Thorsteinsson: 

When  I  reddened  Reifnir's  Roof-Bane, 
The  ravening  sword,  for  wealth's  sake 
At  Svoldr,  I  heaped  with  gold  rings 
Warlike  Holgi's  cairn-thatch. 

In  the  ancient  Bjarkamal  many  terms  for  gold  are  told :  it 
says  there: 

The  king  most  gift-gracious 
His  guardsmen  enriched 


174  PROSE  EDDA 

With  Fenja's  Labor, 
With  Fafnir's  Midgard, 
Glasir's  bright  Needles, 
Grani's  fair  Burden, 
Draupnir's  dear  dripping, 
Down  of  Grafvitnir. 

The  free-handed  Lord  gave. 
The  heroes  accepted, 
SiPs  firm-grown  tresses. 
Ice  of  the  bow-force. 
Otter-gild  unwilling. 
Weeping  of  Mardoll, 
Fire-flame  of  Orun, 
Idi's  fine  Speeches. 

The  warrior  rejoiced; 
We  walked  in  fair  garments. 
In  Thjazi's  counsels 
The  people's  host-countless. 
In  the  Rhine's  red  metal. 
Wrangling  of  Niflungs, 
The  leader  war-daring. 
Warded  Baldr  not. 

XLV.  "Gold  is  metaphorically  termed  Fire  of  the  Hand, 
or  of  the  Limb,  or  of  the  Leg,  because  it  is  red;  but  silver  is 
called  Snow,  or  Ice,  or  Hoar-Frost,  because  it  is  white.  In 
like  manner,  gold  or  silver  may  be  periphrased  in  metaphors 
of  purse,  or  crucible,  or  lather,  and  both  silver  and  gold  may 
be  called  Hand-Stone,  or  Necklace,  of  any  man  who  was 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  175 

wont  to  have  a  necklace.  Necklaces  and  rings  are  both  sil- 
ver and  gold,  if  no  other  distinction  is  raised. 
As  Thorleikr  the  Fair  sang: 

The  kindly  Prince  the  Load  casts 
Of  Crucibles  on  the  Hawk-Seats 
Of  thanes,  the  wrists  embellished, — 
Gives  Embers  of  the  Arm-Joint. 

And  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  land-strong  King  of  Lund 
Breaks  the  golden  Limb-Brands; 
I  think  the  Prince  of  Warriors 
Lacks  not  the  Rhine's  bright  Pebbles. 

Thus  sang  Einarr  Skillason: 

The  Purse-Snow  and  the  Sea-Fire 
Lie  on  both  sides  of  the  axe-head 
Blood-spilling;  't  is  my  office 
To  praise  our  foemen's  Scather. 

And  as  he  sang  further: 

The  Sea-Glow  each  day  standeth 
O'er  the  Crucible's  white  Snow-Drift, 
And  the  shield,  ships'  cheeks  protecting, 
Shelters  a  heart  most  lavish; 
Ne'er  can  one  melt  the  silver 
Flagon-Snow  in  the  Fire-Flame 
Of  the  Eel's  Stream-Road;  the  Feller 
Of  Hosts  all  feats  performeth. 


176  PROSE  EDDA 

Here  gold  is  called  Fire  of  the  Eel's  Stream-Road;  and 

silver,  Snow  of  Flagons. 

Thus  sang  Thordr  Maeri's  Skald: 

The  glad  Giver  of  the  Hand- Waste 
Of  the  Gold-Minisher  perceiveth 
That  the  Hermodr  of  the  Snake's  Lair 
Hath  had  a  lordly  father. 

XLVI.  "Man  is  called  Breaker  of  Gold,  even  as  Ottarr 
the  Swarthy  sang: 

I  needs  must  use  the  Breaker 
Of  the  Battle-Glow  of  good  men; 
Here  is  the  watch  war-doughty 
Of  the  Wise  King  assembled. 

Or  Gold-Sender,  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  Sender  of  Gold  permitteth 

The  silent  earth  to  hearken 

To  song;  his  gifts  I  gather: 

The  prince  his  young  men  gladdens. 

Gold-Caster,  as  Thorleikr  sang: 

Gold-Caster  makes  loyal  to  him 
His  guard  with  kingly  armor. 

Gold's  Adversary,  as  sang  Thorvaldr  Blending-Skald: 

The  gold's  foe  Hot  Coals  casteth 

Of  the  Arm;  the  king  gives  red  wealth; 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  177 

The  vile  folk's  Desolator 
Dispenseth  the  Freight  of  Grani. 

Gold-Towerer,  as  is  written  here: 

The  Gold-Towerer  in  friendship 
I  got,  and  of  the  Warrior, 
Son  of  the  glowing  War-Blade, 
I  make  a  song  of  praise. 

Woman  is  periphrased  in  metaphors  of  gold,  being  called 
Willow  or  Giver  of  Gold,  as  Hallarsteinn  sang: 

He  who  casts  the  Amber 

Of  Vidblindi's  Boar's  cool,  salt  Drink, 

Long  will  recall  the  Willow 

Of  the  Reed-Snake's  golden  River. 

Here  the  whale  is  called  Boar  of  Vidblindi;  this  Vidblindi 
was  a  giant  who  drew  whales  out  of  the  sea  like  fishes. 
The  Drink  of  Whales  is  the  sea;  Amber  of  the  Sea  is 
gold;  woman  is  the  Willow,  or  Dealer,  of  that  gold  which 
she  gives;  and  the  willow  is  a  tree.  Therefore,  as  is  al- 
ready shown,  woman  is  periphrased  with  all  manner  of 
feminine  tree-names:  she  is  also  called  User  of  that  which 
she  gives;  and  the  word  for  ^user'  also  signifies  a  log,  the 
tree  which  falls  in  the  forest. 
Thus  sang  Gunnlaugr  Serpent's-Tongue : 

That  dame  was  born  to  stir  strife 
Among  the  sons  of  men- folk; 
The  War-Bush  caused  that;  madly 
I  yearned  to  have  the  Wealth-Log. 


178  PROSE  EDDA 

Woman  is  called  Forest;  so  sang  Hallarsteinn : 

With  the  well-trained  Plane  of  Singing, 
The  tongue,  I  have  planed,  my  Lady, 
Dame  of  the  First  Song's  ale-vats, 
Forest  fair  of  Flagons. 

Fagot,  as  Steinn  sang: 

Thou  shalt,  O  fresh  Sif-Tender 
Of  the  Flood's  gold  Plre,  like  other 
Fagots  of  Hjadnings'  gravel, 
Break  with  thy  good  fortune. 

Prop,  as  Ormr  Steinthorsson  sang: 

The  Prop  of  Stone  was  clothed 
In  garments  clean  and  seemly: 
A  new  cloak  did  the  hero 
Cast  o'er  the  Mead's  bright  Valkyr. 

Post,  as  Steinarr  sang: 

All  my  dreams  of  the  gracious  Goddess 
Of  the  bracelet-girded  soft  arms 
Have  lied  to  me;  the  Stream-Moon's 
Unsteadfast  Prop  beguiled  me. 


Birch,  as  Ormr  sang: 


For  a  mark  of  the  Birch 
Of  the  bright  hollow  ring. 
The  palm-flame,  I  laid 
On  the  dwarf-flagon,  my  song. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  179 

Oak,  even  as  stands  here: 

The  fair  shaped  Oak  of  Riches 
Stands,  our  mirth  forestalling. 

Linden,  even  as  is  written  here: 

O  dreadful,  towering  Elm-Tree 
Of  the  dinning  shower  of  weapons. 
Our  courage  shall  not  lessen: 
So  bade  the  Linen's  Linden. 

Man  is  periphrased  in  tree-metaphors,  as  we  have  written 
before;  he  is  called  Rowan,  or  Tester,  of  Weapons,  or  of 
Combats,  of  Expeditions  and  of  Deeds,  of  Ships,  and  of 
all  that  which  he  wields  and  tests;  thus  sang  tJlfr  Uggason : 

But  the  flashing-eyed  stiff  Edge-Rope 
Of  the  Earth  stared  past  the  gunwale 
At  the  Rowan-Tree  of  the  people 
Of  Stone,  the  Giant-Tester. 

Tree  and  Beam,  as  Kormakr  sang: 

The  Beam  of  the  murdering  Sword-Twig 
Is  taller  than  are  many 
In  the  Din  of  Darts;  the  sword  wins 
The  land  for  dauntless  Sigurdr. 

Grove,  as  sang  Hallfredr  Troublous-Skald: 

The  Mighty  Grove  and  Faithful 
Of  the  Shield-Murderer,  budded 


i8o  PROSE  EDDA 

With  hair,  stands  in  the  Eastlands 
Safe  with  Ullr's  Ash- Warriors. 

Here  he  is  also  called  Ash. 
Box,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

The  Box  of  Ships  bade  the  Rygir 
Bring  the  shields  together 
At  early  dusk;  through  the  spear-rain 
Of  strife-clouds  held  the  autumn  night. 

Ash,  as  Refr  sang: 

The  Strife-Lord,  gracious  Giver, 
Sought  the  Maid's  bed  gold-sprinkled; 
The  Ash  of  Odin's  War-Sleet 
Won  the  estate  of  manhood. 


Maple,  as  here 


'  Hail,  Maple  of  the  Ice-Lumps 
Of  the  Hand!'  So  spake  the  Birnie. 


Tree,  as  Refr  sang: 


Since  I  have  appointed 

To  proffer  Odin's  Breast-Sea, 

The  War-God's  Verse,  to  Thorsteinn; 

The  Tree  of  Swords  so  wills  it. 


Staff,  as  Ottarr  sang: 


Thou,  fierce  War-Staff,  maintainedst 
Maugre  two  kings,  thy  borders 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  i8i 

With  heroes'  kin,  where  the  ravens 
Starved  not;  keen-hearted  art  thou. 

Thorn,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

He  gathered,  the  young  Wealth-Thorn, 
Many  great  heaps  of  corpses 
For  the  eagles,  and  his  henchmen 
Guided  and  helped  the  hero. 

XLVn.  "How  should  battle  be  periphrased?  By  calling 
it  Storm  of  Weapons  or  of  Sheltering  Shields,  or  of  Odin 
or  the  Valkyrs,  or  of  Host-Kings;  and  Din  and  Clashing. 
Thus  sang  Hornklofi: 

The  king  hath  held  a  Spear-Storm 
With  heroes,  where  the  eagles 
Screamed  at  the  Din  of  Skogul; 
The  red  wounds  spat  out  blood. 

Thus  sang  Eyvindr: 

And  that  hero 

At  Haar's  Tempest 

Wore  a  sark 

Of  gray  wolf-skin. 

Thus  sang  Bersi: 

In  earlier  days  I  seemed  not 
To  Gunn's  War-Bushes  useful 
In  the  Sleet  of  Hlokk,  when  younger 
We  were:  so  't  is  said. 


k 


i82  PROSE  EDDA 

Thus  sang  Einarr: 

The  stark  prince  lets  Hildr's  Shield-Sails 
Take  the  sternest  crashing  Storm-Wind 
Of  the  Valkyr,  where  hail  of  bow-strings 
Drives;  the  sword-blade  hammers. 

As  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  mail-sarks  of  the  warriors, 
Firm-woven,  did  not  shelter 
The  seemly  youths  'gainst  Hogni's 
Showers  of  Hakon's  onset. 

Even  as  here: 

They  set  the  Point-Net's  edge-band 
Against  the  Point-Crash-Urger. 

And  again: 

'Neath  eagles'  claws  the  king's  foes 
Sank  at  the  Clash  of  Gondul. 

XLVIII.  "Weapons  and  armor  should  be  periphrased  in  fig- 
ures of  battle,  and  with  reference  to  Odin  and  the  Valkyrs 
and  host-kings:  one  should  call  a  helmet  Cowl,  or  Hood; 
a  birnie,  Sark,  or  Kirtle;  a  shield.  Tent;  and  a  shield-wall 
is  termed  Hall  and  Roof,  Wall  and  Floor.  Shields,  peri- 
phrased in  figures  of  warships,  are  called  Sun,  or  Moon,  or 
Leaf,  or  Sheen,  or  Garth,  of  the  Ship;  the  shield  is  also 
called  Ship  of  Ullr,  or  periphrased  in  terms  of  Hrungnir's 
feet,  since  he  stood  upon  his  shield.  On  ancient  shields  it 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  183 

was  customary  to  paint  a  circle,  which  was  called  the  '  ring,' 
and  shields  are  called  in  metaphors  of  that  ring.  Hewing 
weapons,  axes  or  swords,  are  called  Fires  of  Blood,  or  of 
Wounds;  swords  are  called  Odin's  Fires;  but  men  call  axes 
by  the  names  of  troll-women,  and  periphrase  them  in  terms 
of  blood  or  wounds  or  a  forest  or  wood.  Thrusting  weapons 
are  properly  periphrased  by  calling  them  by  names  of  ser- 
pents or  fishes.  Missile  weapons  are  often  metaphorically 
termed  hail  or  sleet  or  storm.  Variants  of  all  these  figures 
have  been  made  in  many  ways,  for  they  are  used  chiefly 
in  poems  of  praise,  where  there  is  need  of  such  metaphors. 
So  sang  Viga-Gliimr: 

With  the  Hanged-God's  helmet 
The  hosts  have  ceased  from  going 
By  the  brink;  not  pleasant 
The  bravest  held  the  venture. 

Thus  sang  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale: 

Helm-folded  strife-bold  Bui, — 
Who  from  the  south  went  forth 
Into  Gunn's  Crash,  —  and  din-swift 
Sigvaldi  off^ered  battle. 

Sark  of  Rodi,  as  Tindr  sang: 

When  came  the  birnied  Hakon 

To  cast  away  the  ring-rent 

Streaming  Sark  of  Odin, 

Rodi's  rocking  sea-steeds  were  cleared. 


i84  PROSE  EDDA 

Hamdir's  Kirtle,  as  Hallfredr  sang: 

The  war-sleet  hard  and  streaming 
Of  Egill's  weapons  breaketh 
Fiercely  on  Hamdir's  Kirtles 
Of  the  foremost  wave-deer's  warriors. 

Sorli's  Garments,  as  he  sang  further: 

Thence  the  bright  Weeds  of  Sorli 
In  men's  blood  must  be  reddened; 
I  hear  it  clearly:  Wound-Fire 
In  cutting  showers  of  iron. 

Shields  are  called  Tents  of  Hlokk,  as  Grettir  sang: 

Hlokk's  Tent-Raisers  held  their  noses 
Together,  and  the  heroes 
Of  the  Rain-Storm  of  Hildr's  Shield- Wall 
Hewed  at  each  other's  beards. 

Rodi's  Roof,  as  Einarr  sang: 

Rodi's  Roof's  great  Ice-Lump 
For  the  Rain  of  Freyja's  Eyelids 
Grows  not  less,  my  fair  axe-head ; 
His  age  my  lord  so  useth. 

Wall  of  Hildr,  as  Grettir  sang,  and  as  we  have  written 

before. 

Ship-Sun,  as  Einarr  sang: 

In  the  sea  Olafr's  Kinsman 
Reddens  the  flame  of  the  Ship-Sun. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  185 

Moon  of  the  Ship's  Cheek,  as  Refr  sang: 

Fair  was  the  day,  when  Scatterers 
Of  Arm-Fire  thrust  the  clear  Moon 
Of  the  Cheek  into  my  hand-clasp, 
The  coiling  track  of  red  rings. 

Ship's  Garth,  as  here: 

The  swift  Sweller  of  the  Spear-Crash 
Shot  through  the  stain-dyed  Prow-Garth 
As  it  were  birch-bark;  truly 
He  was  a  bitter  battler. 

Ash  of  Ullr,  as  here: 

The  Snow-Gusts  of  UUr's  Ash-Ship 
Grimly  o'er  our  Prince  shoot 
With  fullness,  where  are  tossing 
The  fearsome  covered  spike-spars. 

Blade  of  Hrungnir's  Foot-Soles,  as  Bragi  sang: 

Wilt  hear,  O  Hrafnketill, 
How  I  shall  praise  the  Sole-Blade 
Of  Thrudr's  thief,  stain-covered 
With  skill,  and  praise  my  king. 

Bragi  the  Skald  sang  this  concerning  the  ring  on  the  shield: 

Unless  it  be,  that  Sigurdr's 
Renowned  Son  would  have  payment 
In  good  kind  for  the  ring-nave 
Of  the  Ringing  Wheel  of  Hildr. 


i86  PROSE  EDDA 

He  called  the  shield  Wheel  of  Hildr,  and  the  ring  the  Nave 

of  the  Wheel. 

Ring-Earth,  as  Hallvardr  sang: 

The  Chief  of  ranks  of  Combat 
Sees  the  red-gleaming  Ring-Earth 
Fly  in  two  parts;  the  white  disk, 
The  pictured,  bursts  in  sunder. 

It  is  also  sung: 

A  ring  befits  the  shield  best; 
Arrows  befit  the  bow. 

A  sword  is  Odin's  Fire,  as  Kormakr  sang: 

The  fight  swelled,  when  the  Warrior, 
The  Wolf's  blithe  Feeder,  in  tumult 
Fared  with  Odin's  ringing  Fire-Flame; 
Urdr  came  forth  from  the  Well. 

Fire  of  the  Helm,  as  Ulfr  Uggason  sang: 

The  very  mighty  Maiden 

Of  the  Mountain  made  the  Sea-Horse 

Roll  forward,  but  the  Champions 

Of  Odin's  Helm-Fire  felled  her  Wolf-Steed. 

Fire  of  the  Birnie,  as  Glumr  Geirason  sang: 

At  that  the  Land-Protector 
Let  the  Birnie's  Streaming  Fire  whine. 
Hone-whetted,  he  who  warded 
Him  strongly  'gainst  the  warriors. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  187 

Ice  of  the  Rim,  and  Hurt  of  Sheltering  Weapons,  as  Einarr 

sang: 

I  received  the  Ice  of  Red  Rims, 
With  Freyja's  golden  Eye-Thaw, 
From  the  upright  prince  high-hearted;    . 
We  bear  in  hand  the  Helm's  Hurt. 

An  axe  is  called  Troll- Woman  of  Sheltering  Weapons,  as 
Einarr  sang: 

Raefill's  Sea-Steed's  Riders 
May  see  how,  richly  carven. 
The  dragons  close  are  brooding 
'Gainst  the  brow  of  the  Helm-Ogress. 

A  spear  is  called  Serpent,  as  Refr  sang: 

My  angry  Murky  Serpent 

Of  the  markings  of  the  Shield-Board 

Savagely  doth  sport,  in 

My  palms,  where  men  in  strife  meet. 

Arrows  are  called  Hail  of  the  Bow  or  Bowstring,  or  of  the 
Shelters,  or  of  Battle,  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  hammering  King  of  Swords  shook 
From  the  Sails  of  Hlokk  the  Bow-Hail: 
Bravely  the  Wolf's  Supporter 
Warded  his  life  in  battle. 

And  Hallfredr: 

And  the  armor  of  the  Spear-Sleet, 
Knitted  with  iron,  saved  not 


i88  PROSE  EDDA 

The  saters  of  hungry  ravens 

From  the  Shaft-Hail  of  the  Bowstring. 

And  Eyvindr  Skald-Despoiler:  • 

They  said,  O  Hords'  Land-Warder, 
Thy  spirit  Httle  faltered. 
When  the  Birnie's  Hail  in  the  wound  burst; 
Bent  were  the  stringed  elm-bows. 

XLIX.  "Battle  is  called  Storm  or  Snow-Shower  of  the 
Hjadnings,  and  weapons  are  termed  Fire  or  Wands  of 
Hjadnings;  and  this  is  the  tale  thereof:  that  king  who  was 
called  Hogni  had  a  daughter  named  Hildr:  her  King  He- 
dinn,  son  of  Hjarrandi,  took  as  the  spoils  of  war,  while 
King  Hogni  attended  an  assembly  of  kings.  But  when  he 
learned  that  there  had  been  raiding  in  his  realm  and  his 
daughter  had  been  borne  off,  he  departed  with  his  host  to 
seek  Hedinn,  and  heard  tidings  of  him,  that  he  was  pro- 
ceeding northward  along  the  land.  When  Hogni  had  come 
into  Norway,  he  learned  that  Hedinn  had  sailed  westward 
over  the  sea.  Then  Hogni  sailed  after  him,  even  to  the 
Orkneys;  and  when  he  landed  at  the  place  called  Hoy, 
Hedinn  was  already  there  before  him  with  his  host.  Then 
Hildr  went  to  meet  her  father,  and  offered  him  a  necklace 
on  Hedinn's  behalf,  for  reconciliation  and  peace;  but  if  it 
were  not  accepted,  she  said,  Hedinn  v/as  ready  to  fight, 
and  Hogni  might  hope  for  no  mercy  at  his  hands. 

"Hogni  answered  his  daughter  harshly;  and  when  she 
returned  to  Hedinn,  she  told  him  that  Hogni  desired  no 
reconciliation,  and  she  bade  him  make  ready  for  battle.  So 
did  both  parties:  they  went  to  the  island  and  marshalled 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  189 

their  hosts.  Then  Hedinn  called  to  Hogni  his  father-in- 
law,  offering  him  reconciliation  and  much  gold  in  com- 
pensation. But  Hogni  answered:  ^Thou  hast  made  this 
offer  over-late,  if  thou  wouldst  make  peace:  for  now  I 
have  drawn  Dainsleif,  which  the  dwarves  made,  and  which 
must  cause  a  man's  death  every  time  it  is  bared,  nor  ever 
fails  in  its  stroke;  moreover,  the  wound  heals  not  if  one 
be  scratched  with  it.'  Then  said  Hedinn:  'Thou  dost  boast 
in  the  sword,  but  not  in  the  victory;  I  call  any  sword  good 
which  is  faithful  to  its  lord.'  Then  they  began  that  famous 
battle  which  is  called  the  Hjadnings'  Strife,  and  they  fought 
all  that  day,  but  at  evening  the  kings  went  to  their  ships. 
NowHildrwent  to  the  slain  by  night,  and  with  magicquick- 
ened  all  those  that  were  dead.  The  next  day  the  kings  went 
to  the  battlefield  and  fought,  and  so  did  all  those  that  had 
fallen  on  the  day  before.  So  the  fight  went  one  day  after 
the  other:  all  who  fell,  and  all  those  weapons  which  lay 
on  the  field,  and  the  shields  also,  were  turned  to  stone;  but 
when  day  dawned,  up  rose  all  the  dead  men  and  fought, 
and  all  weapons  were  renewed.  It  is  said  in  songs  that  in 
this  fashion  the  Hjadnings  shall  continue  unto  the  Weird 
of  the  Gods.  Bragi  the  Skald  composed  verses  after  this 
tale  in  Ragnarr  Lodbrok's  Song  of  Praise: 

And  the  beloved  Maiden 
Of  the  veins'  blood-letting 
Purposed  to  bring,  for  wrath's  sake. 
The  bow-storm  to  her  father: 
When  the  ring-wearing  lady, 
The  woman  full  of  evil. 
Bore  the  neck-ring  of  War-Doom 
To  the  Battler  of  the  Wind's  Steeds. 


190  PROSE  EDDA 

That  gory  Wound-Amender 
To  the  glorious  Monarch  offered 
The  necklace  not  for  fear's  sake, 
At  the  mote  of  fatal  weapons: 
Ever  as  restraining  battle 
She  seemed,  although  she  goaded 
Warriors  to  walk  the  death-road 
With  the  ravening  Wolf's  dire  Sister. 

The  Prince  of  Folk,  the  Land-God, 
Let  not  the  fight,  wolf-gladdening. 
Halt,  nor  slaughter  on  the  sands  cease. 
Hate,  deadly,  swelled  in  Hogni, 
When  the  stern  Lords  of  Sword-Din 
Sought  Hedinn  with  stern  weapons, 
Rather  than  receive 
The  necklet-rings  of  Hildr. 

And  that  baleful  Witch  of  Women, 
Wasting  the  fruits  of  victory. 
Took  governance  on  the  island 
O'er  the  axe,  the  Birnie's  Ruin; 
All  the  Ship-King's  war-host 
Went  wrathful  'neath  the  firm  shields 
Of  Hjarrandi,  swift-marching 
From  Reifnir's  fleet  sea-horses. 

On  the  fair  shield  of  Svolnir 
One  may  perceive  the  onslaught; 
Ragnarr'  gave  me  the  Ship-Moon, 
With  many  tales  marked  on  it. 

*  See  page  i6i. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  191 

Battle  is  called  Storm  of  Odin,  as  is  recorded  above;  so 
sang  Viga-Glumr: 

I  cleared  my  way  aforetime 
Like  earls  to  lands;  the  word  went 
Of  this  among  the  Storm-Staves, 
The  men  of  Vidrir's  Sword-Wand. 

Here  battle  is  called  Storm  of  Vidrir,  and  the  sword  is  the 
Wand  of  Battle;  men  are  Staves  of  the  Sword.  Here,  then, 
both  battle  and  weapons  are  used  to  make  metaphors  for 
man.  It  is  called  'inlaying,'  when  one  writes  thus. 

"The  shield  is  the  Land  of  Weapons,  and  weapons  are 
Hail  or  Rain  of  that  land,  if  one  employs  figures  of  later 
coinage. 

L.  "How  should  the  ship  be  periphrased?  Call  it  Horse  or 
Deer  or  Snowshoe  of  the  Sea-King,  or  of  Ship's  Rigging, 
or  of  Storm.  Steed  of  the  Billow,  as  Hornklofi  sang: 

The  Counsel-Stern  Destroyer 
Of  the  pale  Steed  of  the  Billow 
When  full  young  let  the  ships'  prows 
Press  on  the  sea  at  flood-tide. 

Geitir's  Steed,  as  Erringar-Steinn  sang: 

But  though  to  the  skald  all  people 
This  strife  from  the  south  are  telling, 
We  shall  yet  load  Geitir's  Sea-Steed 
With  stone;  we  voyage  gladly. 


192  PROSE  EDDA 

Sveidi's  Reindeer: 

O  Son  of  Sveinn  strife-valiant, 
Thou  comest  with  Sveidi's  Reindeer, 
Long  of  seam,  on  the  Seat  of  Solsi; 
The  Sound-Deer  from  land  glided. 

So  sang  Hallvardr.  Here  the  ship  is  also  called  Deer  of  the 
Sound;  and  the  Sea  is  called  Solsi's  Seat. 
Thus  sang  Thordr  Sjareksson: 

The  swift  Steed  of  the  Gunwale 

Around  Sigg  veered  from  northward, 

The  gust  shoved  Gylfi's  Stream's  Mirth, 

The  Gull's  Wake-Horse,  to  southward 

Of  Aumar,  laying  fleetly 

Both  Kormt  and  Agdir's  coastline 

Along  the  stern;  by  Listi 

The  Leek's  Steed  lightly  bounded. 

Here  the  ship  is  called  Steed  of  the  Gunwale;  and  the  sea 
is  Gylfi's  Land;  the  sea  is  also  called  Gull's  Wake.  The 
ship  is  called  Horse,  and  further.  Horse  of  the  Leek:  for 
Meek'  means  'mast.' 
And  again,  as  Markiis  sang: 

The  Stream's  Winterling  waded 

Stoutly  the  Firth-Snake's  Snow-Heaps; 

The  Tusker  of  the  Mast-Head 

Leaped  o'er  the  Whale's  spumed  House-Tops; 

The  Bear  of  the  Flood  strode  forward 

On  the  ancient  paths  of  sea-ships; 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  193 

The  Stay's  Bear,  shower-breasting, 
Broke  the  Reef's  splashing  Fetter. 

Here  the  ship  is  called  Winterling  of  the  Stream :  a  bear- 
cub  is  called  a  Winterling;  and  a  bear  is  called  Tusker; 
the  Bear  of  the  Stay  is  a  ship. 

The  ship  is  also  called  Reindeer,  and  so  Hallvardr  sang, 
as  we  have  written  before;  and  Hart,  as  King  Haraldr  Sig- 
urdarson  sang: 

By  Sicily  then  widely 

The  Seam  cut:  we  were  stately; 

The  Sea-Hart  glided  swiftly 

As  we  hoped  beneath  the  heroes. 

And  Elk,  as  Einarr  sang: 

The  ring's  mild  Peace-Dispenser, 
The  princely  hero,  may  not 
Long  bide  with  thee,  if  something 
Aid  not;  we  boune  the  Flood's  Elk. 

And  Otter,  as  Mani  sang: 

What,  laggard  carle  with  gray  cheeks. 
Canst  do  among  keen  warriors 
On  the  Otter  of  the  Sea- Waves? 
For  thy  strength  is  ebbing  from  thee. 

Wolf,  as  Refr  sang: 

And  the  Hoard-Diminisher  hearkened 
To  Thorsteinn;  true  my  heart  is 


194  PROSE  EDDA 

To  the  Lord  of  the  Wolf  of  Billows 
In  the  baleful  Wrath- Wand's  conflict. 

And  Ox  also.  The  ship  is  called  Snowshoe,  or  Wagon,  or 
Wain.  Thus  sang  Eyjolfr  the  Valiant  Skald: 

Late  in  the  day  the  young  Earl 
In  the  Snowshoe  of  Landless  Waters 
Fared  with  equal  following 
To  meet  the  fearless  chieftain. 

Thus  sang  Styrkarr  Oddason : 

Hogni's  host  drove  the  Wagons 
Of  Rollers  o'er  Heiti's  Snow-Heaps, 
Angrily  pursuing 
The  great  Giver  of  Flood-Embers. 

And  as  Thorbjorn  sang: 

The  Freighter  of  Wave-Crests'  Sea-Wain 
Was  in  the  font  of  christening, 
Hoard-Scatterer,  who  was  given 
The  White  Christ's  highest  favor. 

LI.  "How  should  one  periphrase  Christ?  Thus:  by  call- 
ing Him  Fashioner  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  of  Angels,  and 
of  the  Sun;  Governor  of  the  World  and  of  the  Heavenly 
Kingdom  and  of  Jerusalem  and  Jordan  and  the  Land  of 
the  Greeks;  Counsellor  of  the  Apostles  and  of  the  Saints. 
Ancient  skalds  have  written  of  Him  in  metaphors  of 
Urdr's  Well  and  Rome;  as  Eilifr  Gudrunarson  sang: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  195 

So  has  Rome's  Mighty  Ruler 
In  the  Rocky  Realms  confirmed 
His  power;  they  say  He  sitteth 
South,  at  the  Well  of  Urdr. 

Thus  sang  Skapti  Thoroddsson: 

The  King  of  Monks  is  greatest 
Of  might,  for  God  all  governs; 
Christ's  power  wrought  this  earth  all, 
And  raised  the  Hall  of  Rome. 

King  of  the  Heavens,  as  Markus  sang: 

The  King  of  the  Wind-House  fashioned 
Earth,  sky^  and  faithful  peoples; 
Christ,  sole  Prince  of  Mortals, 
Hath  power  o'er  all  that  liveth. 

Thus  sang  Eilifr  Kiilnasveinn: 

The  Host  of  the  beaming  World's  Roof 
And  the  Band  of  Illustrious  bow  down 
To  the  Holy  Cross;  than  all  glory 
Else  the  Sole  Sun's  King  is  brighter. 

Son  of  Mary,  as  Eilifr  sang  further: 

The  bright  Host  of  Heaven  boweth 
To  Mary's  Bairn:  He  winneth. 
The  Gentle  Prince,  of  glory 
The  true  might,  God  and  man  both. 


196  PROSE  EDDA 

King  of  Angels,  as  Eilifr  sang  again : 

The  goodly  might  of  God's  friend 
Is  better  than  men  guess  of; 
Yet  the  Gracious  King  of  Angels 
Is  dearer  than  all,  and  holier. 

King  of  Jordan,  as  Sigvatr  sang: 

Four  angels  the  King  of  Jordan 
Sent  long  ago  through  aether 
To  earthward;  and  the  stream  washed 
The  holy  head  of  the  World's  Lord. 

King  of  Greeks,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

I  have  lodged  for  the  hero's  ashes 
Prayers  with  the  Lordly  Warder 
Of  Greeks  and  men  of  Gardar: 
Thus  I  pay  my  Prince  for  good  gifts. 

Thus  sang  Eilifr  Kulnasveinn: 

The  Glory  of  Heaven  praises 

Man's  Prince:  He  is  King  of  all  things. 

Here  he  called  Christ,  first.  King  of  Men,  and  again,  King 
of  All.  Einarr  Skiilason  sang: 

He  who  compasseth.  Bright  in  Mercy, 
All  the  world,  and  gently  careth 
For  all,  caused  the  realm  of  Heaven 
To  ope  for  the  valiant  ruler. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  197 

LII.  "There  the  metaphors  coincide;  and  he  who  interprets 
the  language  of  poesy  learns  to  distinguish  which  king  is 
meant;  for  it  is  correct  to  call  the  Emperor  of  Constanti- 
nople King  of  Greeks,  and  similarly  to  call  the  king  who 
rules  over  the  land  of  Jerusalem  King  of  Jerusalem,  and 
also  to  call  the  Emperor  of  Rome  King  of  Rome,  and  to 
call  him  King  of  Angles^  who  governs  England.  But  that 
periphrasis  which  was  cited  but  now,  which  called  Christ 
King  of  Men,  may  be  had  by  every  king.  It  is  proper  to 
periphrase  all  kings  by  calling  them  Land-Rulers,  or  Land- 
Warders,  or  Land-Attackers,  or  Leader  of  Henchmen,  or 
Warder  of  the  People. 
Thus  sang  Eyvindr  Skald-Despoiler: 

Who  filled  the  ravens 
From  life  was  reft 
By  the  Earth-Rulers 
At  Oglo.^ 


And  as  Glumr  Geirason 


sang 


The  Prince  beneath  the  helmet 
Reddened  the  sword  hone-hollowed 
On  the  Geats:  there  the  Land- Warder 
Was  found  in  the  grinding  spear-din. 

As  Thjodolfr  sang: 

'T  is  my  wish  that  the  glorious  Leader 
Of  Henchmen,  the  Glad-hearted, 
Should  leave  his  sons  the  heritage 
And  the  sod  of  his  fair  freehold. 

'  The  reverse  of  Gregory's  pun  :  "Non  Angli  sed  angeli."         ^  See  page  98. 


\ 


198  PROSE  EDDA 

As  Einarr  sang: 

The  valiant-souled  Earth-Warder 
On  his  stern  head  the  helm  bears; 
The  bard  before  heroes  telleth 
The  fame  of  the  King  of  Hordland. 

It  is  right  also  to  call  him  King  of  Kings,  under  whom  are 
tributary  kings.  An  emperor  is  highest  of  kings,  and  next 
under  him  is  that  king  who  reigns  over  a  nation;  and  each 
of  these  is  equal  to  the  other  in  the  periphrases  made  of 
them  in  poesy.  Next  to  them  are  those  men  who  are  called 
earls  or  tributary  kings:  and  they  are  equal  in  periphrasis 
with  a  king,  save  that  one  may  not  term  them  kings  of 
nations.  And  thus  sang  Arnorr  Earl's  Skald  concerning 
Earl  Thorfinnr: 

Let  the  men  hear  how  the  Earl's  King, 
Hardy  of  mind,  the  sea  sought: 
The  overwhelming  Ruler 
Failed  not  to  thwart  the  ocean. 

Next  to  these  in  the  figures  of  poesy  are  those  men  who 
are  called  chiefs :  one  may  periphrase  them  as  one  might  a 
king  or  an  earl,  calling  them  Dispensers  of  Gold,  Wealth- 
Munificent,  Men  of  the  Standards,  and  Captains  of  the 
Host,  or  Van-Leaders  of  the  Array  or  of  Battle;  since  each 
king  of  a  nation,  who  rules  over  many  lands,  appoints  trib- 
utary kings  and  earls  in  joint  authority  with  himself,  to 
administer  the  laws  of  the  land  and  defend  it  from  attack 
in  those  parts  which  lie  far  removed  from  the  king.  And  in 
those  parts  they  shall  be  equal  with  the  king's  self  in  giving 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  199 

judgment  and  meting  punishment.  Now  there  are  many 
districts  in  one  land;  and  it  is  the  practice  of  kings  to  ap- 
point justiciars  over  as  many  districts  as  one  chooses  to  give 
into  their  hands.  These  justiciars  are  called  chiefs  or  landed- 
men  in  the  Danish  tongue,  reeves  in  Saxony,  and  barons 
in  England.  They  are  also  to  be  righteous  judges  and  faith- 
ful warriors  over  the  land  which  is  entrusted  to  them  for 
governance.  If  the  king  is  not  near,  then  a  standard  shall 
be  borne  before  them  in  battle;  and  then  they  are  quite  as 
lawful  war-captains  as  kings  or  earls. 

"Next  under  them  are  those  men  who  are  called  frank- 
lins :  they  are  those  freeholders  who  are  of  honorable  kin- 
dred, and  possessed  of  full  rights.  One  may  periphrase  them 
by  calling  them  Wealth-Givers,  and  Protectors,  and  Re-- 
concilers  of  Men;  headmen  also  may  have  these  titles. 

"  Kings  and  earls  have  as  their  following  the  men  called 
henchmen  and  house-carles;  landed-men  also  have  in  their 
service  those  who  are  called  henchmen  in  Denmark  and 
Sweden,  and  house-carles  in  Norway,  and  these  men  swear 
oaths  of  service  to  them,  even  as  henchmen  do  to  kings. 
The  house-carles  of  kings  were  often  called  henchmen  in 
the  old  heathen  time. 
Thus  sang  Thorvaldr  Blending  Skald: 

Hail,  King,  swift  in  the  onset! 
And  thy  sturdy  house-carles  with  thee! 
In  their  mouths  men  have  my  verses, 
Made  for  a  song  of  praising. 

King  Haraldr  Sigurdarson  composed  this: 

The  man  full  mighty  waiteth 
The  filling  of  the  King's  seat; 


200  PROSE  EDDA 

Oft,  I  find,  to  the  Earl's  heels 
Throngs  my  host  of  house-carles. 

Henchmen  and  house-carles  may  be  periphrased  by  call- 
ing them  House-Guard, or  Wage-Band, or  Men  of  Honor: 
thus  sang  Sigvatr: 

I  learned  the  Warrior's  Wage-Band 
On  the  water  fought  that  battle 
Newly:  't  is  not  the  smallest 
Snow-shower  of  Shields  I  tell  of. 

And  thus  also: 

When  on  the  Steed  of  Cables 

The  clashing  steel  was  meeting, 

'T  was  not  as  when  a  maid  bears 

The  Chief's  mead  to  the  Honor-Winners. 

The  service-fee  which  headmen  give  is  called  wages  and 
gifts;  thus  sang  Ottarr  the  Swarthy: 

I  needs  must  use  the  Breaker 
Of  the  Battle-Glow  of  good  men; 
Here  is  the  watch  war-doughty 
Of  the  Wise  King  assembled.' 

Earls  and  chiefs  and  henchmen  are  periphrased  by  calling 
them  Counsellors  or  Speech-Friends  or  Seat-Mates  of  the 
King,  as  Hallfredr  sang: 


'  See  page  176. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  201 

The  Counsellor  battle-mighty 
Of  the  Prince,  whom  boldness  pleases, 
Lets  the  feud-fiery  weeds  of  Hogni, 
Hammer-beaten,  clash  upon  him. 


As  Snaebjorn  sang: 


The  Speech-Friend  of  Kings  letteth 
The  long-hulled  steer-rope's  Race-Horse 
Steady  the  swordlike  steel  beak 
Of  the  ship  against  the  stern  wave. 

Thus  sang  Arnorr: 

My  young  sons  do  bear  for  my  sake 
Grave  sorrow  for  the  slaughter 
Of  the  Earl,  destroyed  by  murder. 
The  Bench-Mate  of  our  Monarch. 

King's  Counsel-Friend,  as  Hallfredr  sang: 

In  council  't  was  determined 
That  the  King's  Friend,  wise  in  counsel, 
Should  wed  the  Land,  sole  Daughter 
Of  Onarr,  greenly  wooded.' 

One  should  periphrase  men  by  their  kindred;  as  Kormakr 

sang: 

Let  the  son  of  Haraldr's  true  friend 
Give  ear,  and  hearken  to  me: 
I  raise  my  song,  the  Yeast-Stream 
Of  Syr's  snow-covered  Monsters. 

*  See  page  136. 


202  PROSE  EDDA 

He  called  the  Earl  True  Friend  of  the  King,  and  Hakon, 
Son  of  Earl  Sigurdr.  And  Thjodolfr  sang  thus  concerning 
Haraldr: 

About  (5lafr's  sire 

Waxed  the  steel-knife-storm's  ire, 

That  of  wightness  each  deed 

Is  worthy  fame's  meed. 


And  again: 


Jarizleifr  could  espy 
Where  the  king  passed  by: 
The  brave,  sainted  lord's  kin 
Stoutly  praise  did  win. 

And  again  he  sang: 

Breath-bereft  is  he 
Who  o'er  all  bore  the  gree, — 
Of  chiefs  kinsman  mild, 
Haraldr's  brother's  child. 

Arnorr  also  sang  thus  in  Rognvaldr  s  Song  of  Praise 

Heiti's  war-good  kinsman 
Made  wedlock-kindred  with  me: 
The  earl's  strong  tie  of  marriage 
Made  honor  to  us  rendered. 

And  again,  concerning  Earl  Thorfinnr,  he  sang: 

The  thin-made  swords  bit  keenly 
Old  Rognvaldr's  kin,  to  southward 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  203 

Of  Man,  where  rushed  the  strong  hosts 
Under  the  sheltering  shield-rims. 

And  he  sang  further: 

0  God,  guard  the  glorious 
Kin-Betterer  of  great  Turf-Einarr 
From  harm;  I  pray,  show  mercy 
To  him  whom  faithful  chiefs  love. 

And  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

The  House-Prop  of  the  Kindred 
Of  Hilditonn  shall  not  lack 
Hardihood  more  munificent; 

1  am  bound  to  maintain  praises. 

LHI.  "How  are  the  uninvolved  terms  of  poesy  made? 
By  calling  each  thing  by  its  proper  name.  What  are  the 
simple  terms  for  poesy?  It  is  called  Poetry,  Glorifying, 
Song,  Laud,  and  Praise.  Bragi  the  Old  sang  this,  when  he 
was  travelling  through  a  forest  late  at  evening:  a  troll- 
woman  hailed  him  in  verse,  asking  who  passed: 

^Trolls  do  call  me 
Moon's  .  .  . 
...  of  the  giant. 
Storm-sun's  (?)  bale, 
Fellow-in-misery  of  the  sibyl. 
Warder  of  the  circled  ring-earth, 
Wheel-devourer  of  the  heaven. 
What  is  the  troll  but  that?'' 

*  "Eru  trbll-kenningar,  sumar  myrkar."  Jonsson,  p.  403. 


204  PROSE  EDDA 

He  answered  thus: 

'Skalds  do  call  me 
Vidurr's  Shape-Smith, 
Gautr's  Gift-Finder, 
Bard  not  faulty, 
Yggr's  Ale-Bearer, 
Song's  Arrayer, 
Skilled  Smith  of  Verse: 
What  is  the  Skald  but  this?' 

And  as  Kormakr  sang: 

I  make  more  Glorifying 

By  far  o'er  Hakon's  great  son: 

I  pay  him  the  song-atonement 

Of  the  gods.  In  his  wain  Thor  sitteth. 

And  as  Thordr  Kolbeinsson  sang: 

The  Shield-Maple  let  many  swift  ships 
And  merchant-craft,  and  speedy 
War-boats  o'er  the  sea  pour; 
The  skald's  ready  Song  of  Laud  waxed, 

Laud,  as  Ulfr  Uggason  sang: 

Now  the  stream  to  the  sea  cometh; 
But  first  the  Laud  I  sang  forth 
Of  the  Messenger  of  Sword-Rain: 
Thus  I  raise  the  praise  of  warriors. 

Here  poesy  is  called  praise  also. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  205 

LI V.  "  How  are  the  gods  named  ?  They  are  called  Fetters, 
as  Eyjolfr  the  Valiant  Skald  sang: 

Eirikr  draws  the  lands  beneath  him 
At  the  pleasure  of  the  Fetters, 
And  fashions  the  Spear-Battle. 

And  Bonds,  as  Thjodolfr  of  Hvin  sang: 

The  skilful  God-Deceiver 
To  the  Bonds  proved  a  stern  sharer 
Of  bones:  the  Helmet-Hooded 
Saw  somewhat  hindered  seething/ 

Powers,  as  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale  sang: 

I  say,  the  Mighty  Powers 
Magnify  Hakon's  empire. 

Jolnar,"^  as  Eyvindr  sang: 

We  have  fashioned 
The  Feast  of  Jolnar, 
The  Prince's  praise-song. 
Strong  as  a  stone  bridge. 

Deities,^  as  Kormakr  sang: 

'  See  page  130. 

*  This  word,  in  the  singular,  is  one  of  the  names  of  Odin.  I  can  find  no  ety- 
mology for  it. 

^  A  rare  and  doubtful  word.  According  to  Cl.-Vig.,  the  word  occurs  only 
twice  :  Tngl,  S,,  ch.  ii,  and  here.  Cl.-Vig.  holds  that  the  word  probably  means 
priests:  "The  diar  of  the  TngL  S.  were  probably  analogous  to  the  Icel.  godi, 
from  god  (deus)'*  (p.  100). 


2o6  PROSE  EDDA 

The  Giver  of  Lands,  who  bindeth 
The  sail  to  the  top,  with  gold-lace 
Honors  him  who  pours  Deities'  verse-mead; 
Odin  wrought  charms  on  Rindr.' 

LV.  "These  names  of  the  heavens  are  recorded  (but  we 
have  not  found  all  these  terms  in  poems;  and  these  skaldic 
terms,  even  as  others,  are  not  meet  for  use  in  skaldic  writ- 
ing, methinks,  unless  one  first  find  such  names  in  the  works 
of  Chief  Skalds):  Heaven,  Hlyrnir,  Heidthornir,  Storm- 
Mimir,  Long-Lying,  Light-Farer,  Driving,  Topmost  Sky, 
Wide-Fathom,  Vet-Mimir,  Lightning,  Destroyer,  Wide- 
Blue.  The  solar  planet  is  called  Sun,  Glory,  Ever-Glow, 
All-Bright,  Sight,  Fair  Wheel,  Healing  Ray,  Dvalinn's 
Playmate,  Elfin-Beam,  Doubtful-Beam,  Luminary.  The 
lunar  planet  is  called  Moon,  Waxer,  Waner,  Year-Teller, 
Mock-Sun,  Fengari,^  Glamour,  Haster,  Crescent,  Glare. 

LVL  "Which  are  the  simple  terms  for  Earth?  She  is  called 
Earth,  as  Thjodolfr  sang: 

The  hardy  Point-Rain's  Urger 
Oft  caused  the  harsh  sword-shower. 
Ere  under  him  the  broad  Earth 
With  battle  he  subjected. 

Field,  as  Ottarr  sang: 

The  Prince  guards  the  Field: 
Few  kings  are  so  mighty; 

'  See  page  loo. 

^-  "Byzant.  (peyydpL]  an  air.  Xe7. "  (Cl.-Vig.,p.  151). 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  207 

Oleifr  fattens  the  eagle, — 
Foremost  is  the  Swedes'  King. 

Ground,  as  Hallvardr  sang: 

The  broad  Ground,  'neath  the  venom-cold  Adder 

Bound,  lies  subject  to  the  Warrior 

Of  the  Island-Fetter's  heaped  gold; 

The  Hone-Land's  Lord  the  hoard  dispenseth. 

Haudr,^  as  Einarr  sang: 

Brave  heroes  are  defending 
The  hard  Haudr  of  famous  princes 
With  the  sword;  oft  splits  the  helmet 
Before  the  furious  edge-storm. 

Land,  as  Thordr  Kolbeinsson  sang: 

The  Land,  after  the  battle, 

Was  laid  low  from  Veiga  northward 

To  Agdir  south,  or  farther: 

Hard  is  song  in  conflict. 

Fief,  as  Ottarr  sang : 

Thou,  fierce  War-Staff,  maintainedst 
The  Hef  despite  two  Monarchs 
With  heroes'  kin,  where  the  ravens 
Starved  not;  keen-hearted  art  thou.* 


I  (( 

2 


Etymology  not  known"  (Cl.-Vig.,  p.  241). 
See  pages  180,  181. 


2o8  PROSE  EDDA 

Hlodyn/ as  Volu-Steinn  sang: 

I  remember  how  murky  earth  yawned 
With  graven  mouth  for  the  Sender 
Of  the  Gold-Words  of  the  Giant 
Of  the  hard  bones  of  Green  Hlodyn. 

Country,  as  tJlfr  Uggason  sang: 

But  the  flashing-eyed  stifF  Edge-Rope 
Of  the  Earth  stared  past  the  gunwale 
At  the  Rowan-Tree  of  the  Country 
Of  Stone,  the  Giant-Tester.^ 

Fj6rgyn,'as  is  said  here: 

I  was  faithful  to  the  free  Payer 

Of  the  stream-bed  of  Fjorgyn's  Serpent; 

May  honor  be  closely  guarded 

By  the  Giver  of  the  Giant's  Stream-gold. 

LVII.  "  It  is  correct  to  periphrase  blood  or  carrion  in  terms 
of  the  beast  which  is  called  Strangler,"*  by  calling  them 
his  Meat  and  Drink;  it  is  not  correct  to  express  them  in 
terms  of  other  beasts.  The  Strangler  is  also  called  Wolf. 
As  Thjodolfr  sang: 

Enough  guesting  to  the  Ravener 
Was  given,  when  the  Son  of  Sigurdr 

'  A  personification.  ^  See  page  179. 

3  Cf.  Goth,  fairguni  (=  a.   mountain)  and  A.-S.  fyr gen.   A  personification: 

Fjorgynn  is  father  of  Frigg  and  of  Jord  (Earth). 

*  ^^^g^>  cf.  A.-S.  iveargy  Ger.  -ivurgen. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  209 

Came  from  the  North,  the  Wolf 
To  lure  from  the  wood  to  the  wound. 

Here  he  is  called  Ravener  also. 
Greedy  One,  as  Egill  sang: 

The  Greedy  One  gashed 
Grisly  wounds,  when  plashed 
The  red  Point-Creek 
On  the  raven's  beak. 

Witch-Beast,  as  Einarr  sang: 

The  Gotha,  cold  with  venom, 
With  hot  Wound-Gush  was  reddened; 
The  Witch-Beast's  warm  drink,  mingled 
With  the  water,  in  the  sea  poured. 

She- Wolf,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

The  She-Wolf's  evil  Kindred 
Swallowed  the  corpse,  harm-swollen, 
When  the  green  sea  was  turned 
To  red,  with  gore  commingled. 


Strangler,  as  Illugi  sang 


There  was  happiness  for  the  Strangler 
When  my  lord  pursued  hosts  full  many; 
With  the  sword  the  Necklet-Minisher 
Pierced  the  swart  Snake  of  the  Forest. 


2IO  PROSE  EDDA 

Thus  sang  Hallr: 

He  sated  the  Heath-Beasts'  Hunger: 

The  hoar  howler  in  wounds  gladdened; 

The  king  reddened  the  Wild  One's  mouth-hairs, — 

The  Wolf  went  to  drink  of  the  wound. 

And  again,  as  Thordr  sang: 

In  blood  Gjalp's  Stud-Horse  waded, 

The  dusty  pack  got  fullness 

Of  the  Greedy  One's  Wheat;  the  howler  ^ 

Enjoyed  the  Ravener's  Gore-Drink. 

The  bear  is  called  Wide-Stepper,  Cub,  Winterling,  Ourse, 
Gib-Cat,  Tusker,  Youngling,  Roarer,  Jolfudr,^  Wilful- 
Sharp,  She- Bear,  Horse-Chaser,  Scratcher,  Hungry  One, 
Blomr,'  Bustler.  The  hart  is  called  Modrodnir,^  Dalarr/ 
Dalr,^  Dainn,"*  Dvalinn,"*  Duneyrr,"^  Durathror/ These  are 
the  names  of  horses  enumerated  in  the  Rhymes  of  Thor- 
grimr :  ^ 

Hrafn^  and  Sleipnir, 

The  famous  horses; 

Valr^  and  Lettfeti; 

Tjaldari  ^  was  there  too; 

Gulltopr  and  Goti;^ 

I  heard  Soti  ^°  told  of; 

Mor  "  and  Lungr ''  with  Marr.^' 

*  Meaning?  ^  Angry-minded?  ^  Meaning? 

^  These  are  the  names  of  the  harts  that  feed  on  the  leaves  of  the  Ash  Ygg- 

drasill.  See  Gylfag.^  ch.  xvi. 

^  For  meanings  not  given  in  footnotes,  see  Gylfag.^ch.  xv,  and  Skalds,,  ch.  xvii. 

^  Raven.  7  Hawk.  «  Racer?  (Cl.-Vig.,  p.  635).  9  ? 

^°  Soot-Colored.  Dark-Gray.  '-  ?  '3  steed. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS 

Vigg'  and  Stufr' 

Were  with  Skaevadr;  ^ 

Blakkr"*  could  well  bear  Thegn; 

Silfrtoppr  and  Sinir;^ 

I  heard  Fakr  ^  spoke  of; 

GuUfaxi  and  Jor  ^  with  the  Gods  were. 


21  I 


Blodughofi^  hight  a  horse 

That  they  said  beareth 

The  strength-eminent  Atridi; 

GisPand  Falhofnir;^^ 

Glaer"  and  Skeidbriniir;'^ 

Mention,  too,  was  made  of  Gyllir. 

These  also  are  recorded  in  Kalfsvisa: 


13 


Dagr  rode  Drosull,^^ 

And  Dvalinn  rode  Modnir; 

Hjalmther,  Hafeti;^^ 

Haki  rode  Fakr; 

The  Slayer  of  Beli 

Rode  Blodughofi, 

And  Skaevadr  was  ridden 

By  the  Ruler  of  Haddings. 


15 


Vesteinn  rode  Valr, 
And  Vifill  rode  Stufr; 
Meinthjofr  rode  Mor, 


»  Carrier. 

2  Stump. 

3  Hoof-Tosser. 

^  Black. 

^  Sinewy. 

6  Jade. 

^  Horse,  Steed. 

8  Bloody-Hoof. 

^  Hostage. 

»°  Hollow-Hoof. 

**  Shining. 

'^  Swift-Runner. 

»3  Golden. 

^  Roamer 

»s  Spirited. 

'6  High-Heels. 

212  PROSE  EDDA 

And  Morginn  on  Vakr;' 

Ali  rode  Hrafn, 

They  who  rode  onto  the  ice: 

But  another,  southward, 

Under  Adils, 

A  gray  one,  wandered. 

Wounded  with  the  spear. 

Bjorn  rode  Blakkr, 
And  Bjarr  rode  Kertr;^ 
AtU  rode  Glaumr,^ 
And  Adils  on  Slongvir;^ 
Hogni  on  Holvir,^ 
And  Haraldr  on  Folkvir;^ 
Gunnarr  rode  Goti,^ 
And  Sigurdr,  Grani/ 

Arvakr^  and  Alsvidr^°  draw  the  Sun,  as  is  written  before; 
Hrimfaxi  "  or  Fjorsvartnir  ^^  draw  the  Night;  Skinfaxi  ^^ 
and  Gladr  '^  are  the  Day's  horses. 

"These  names  of  oxen  are  in  Thorgrimr's  Rhymes: 

Of  all  oxen  the  names 
Have  I  accurately  learned, — 
Of  these:  Raudr''  and  Hoeiir,'' 
Rekinn^^and  Hyrr,*' 

*  Watchful,  Nimble,  Ambling,  or  perhaps  Hawk. 

*  Related  to  Kerti  =  a  candle?  ^  Tumult.  '*  Slinger. 
^  Horse;  etymology?                                  ^  ?  ^  Goth. 

8  Shining-Lip  ?  (Jonsson).  9  Early- Wake.  '°  All-Swift. 

'*  Frosty-Mane.  *^  Swart-Life.  ^^  Shining-Mane. 

^*  Bright,  or  Glad. 

»5Red.  '6  Meet.  '^  driven.  ^^  GtntXt. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  213 

Himinhrjodr'  and  Apli,^ 
Arfr'  and  Arfuni/ 

These  are  names  of  serpents:  Dragon,  Fafnir,  Mighty 
Monster,  Adder,Nidh6ggr,Lindworm, She-Adder,  Goinn,^ 
Moinn,^  Grafvitnir,^  Grabakr,^  Ofnir,^  Svafnir,^  Hooded 
One. 

Neat-Cattle :  Cow,  calf,  oxen,  heifer,  yearling,  steer,  bull. 

Sheep:  Ram,  buck,  ewe,  lamb,  wether. 

Swine :  Sow,  she-pig,  boar,  hog,  suckling. 

LVni.  "What  are  the  names  of  the  air  and  of  the  winds? 
Air  is  called  Yawning  Void  and  MiddleWorld,  Bird- Abode, 
Wind-Abode.  Wind  is  called  Storm,  Breeze,  Gale,  Tem- 
pest, Gust,  Blowing.  Thus  does  one  read  in  Alsvinnsmal : 

Wind  't  is  called  among  menfolk, 

And  Waverer  with  the  gods, — 

Neigher  the  great  powers  name  it; 

Shrieker  the  giants. 

And  Shouter  elves  call  it; 

In  Hel  Clamorer  't  is  called. 

The  Wind  is  also  called  Blast. 

LIX.  "Two  are  those  birds  which  there  is  no  need  to  peri- 
phrase  otherwise  than  by  calling  blood  and  corpses  their 
Drink  and  Meat:  these  are  the  raven  and  the  eagle.  All 
other  male  birds  may  be  periphrased  in  metaphors  of  blood 

'  Heaven-Bellowing,  or  perhaps  Heaven-Destroyer.  ^  Calf. 

3  Bull  5  properly  =  cattle,  pecus^  fee-,  hence,  inheritance.         **  Heir  ;  cf.  with  3. 

^  For  these  names  and  their  meanings,  see  Gylfag.^  ch.  xvi. 


214  PROSE  EDDA 

or  corpses;  and  then  their  names  are  terms  of  the  eagle  or 
the  raven.  As  Thjodolfr  sang: 

The  Prince  with  Eagle's  Barley 
Doth  feed  the  bloody  moor-fowl: 
The  Hord-King  bears  the  sickle 
Of  Odin  to  the  gory  Swan's  crop; 
The  Sater  of  the  Vulture 
Of  the  Eagle's  Sea  of  corpses 
Stakes  each  shoal  to  the  southward 
Which  he  wards,  with  the  spear-point. 

These  are  names  of  the  raven:  Crow,  Huginn,^  Muninn,^ 
Bold  of  Mood,  Yearly  Flier,  Year-Teller,  Flesh-Boder. 
Thus  sang  Einarr  Tinkling-Scale: 

With  flesh  the  Host-Convoker 

Filled  the  feathered  ravens: 

The  raven,  when  spears  were  screaming. 

With  the  she-wolPs  prey  was  sated. 

Thus  sang  Einarr  Skulason: 

He  who  gluts  the  Gull  of  Hatred, 
Our  precious  lord,  could  govern 
The  sword;  the  hurtful  raven 
Of  Huginn's  corpse-load  eateth. 

And  as  he  sang  further: 

But  the  King's  heart  swelleth. 
His  spirit  flushed  with  battle, 

'  For  the  meaning  of  these  names  (which  are  those  of  Odin's  Ravens),  see 
Gylfag.y  ch.  xxxviii. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  215 

Where  heroes  shrink;  dark  Muninn 
Drinks  blood  from  out  the  wounds. 


As  Viga-Glumr  sang: 


When  stood  the  shielded  Maidens 
Of  the  gory  sword,  strife-eager, 
On  the  isle;  the  Bold  of  Mood  then 
Received  the  meat  of  wound-blood. 

As  Skuli  Thorsteinsson  sang: 

Not  the  hindmost  in  the  hundred 
Might  Hlokk  of  horns  have  seen  me, 
Where  to  the  Yearly  Flier 
I  fed  the  wounds  full  grievous. 

The  erne  is  called  Eagle,  Old  One,  Storm-Shearer,  Inciter, 
Soarer,  Wound-Shearer,  Cock.  As  Einarr  sang: 

With  blood  the  lips  he  reddened 
Of  the  black  steed  of  Jarnsaxa; 
With  steel  Erne's  meat  was  furnished: 
The  Eagle  slit  the  WolPs  Bait. 


As  6 


ttarr  sang: 


The  Erne  swills  corpse-drink. 
The  She-wolf  is  sated. 
The  Eagle  there  feedeth. 
Oft  the  wolf  his  fangs  reddens. 


2i6  PROSE  EDDA 

As  Thjodolfr  sang: 


The  Spoiler  of  the  Lady 

Swiftly  flew  with  tumult 

To  meet  the  high  God-Rulers, 

Long  hence,  in  Old  One's  plumage/ 


And  as  stands  here: 


With  skill  will  I  rehearse 

Of  the  Storm-Shearer  my  verse. 

And  again  as  Skiili  sang: 

Early  and  late  with  sobbing 

I  wake,  where  well  is  sated 

The  hawk  of  the  Cock's  blood-ocean: 

Then  the  bard  heareth  good  tidings. 

LX.  "What  are  the  names  of  the  Sea?  It  is  called  Ocean, 
Main,  Wintry,  Lee,  Deep,  Way,  Weir,  Salt,  Lake,  Fur- 
therer.  As  Arnorr  sang,  and  as  we  have  written  above: 

Let  men  hear  how  the  Earls'  King, 
Hardy  of  mind,  the  Sea  sought; 
The  overwhelming  Ruler 
Failed  not  to  resist  the  Main.* 

Here  it  is  named  Sea,  and  Main  also. 
"Ocean,  as  Hornklofi  sang: 

When  the  man-scathing  Meeter 
Of  the  Mansion  of  the  Rock-Reefs 

*  See  page  130.  ^  See  page  198. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  217 

Thrust  the  Forecastle-Adder 
And  the  skiff  out  on  the  Ocean. 

In  the  following  verse  it  is  called  Lake  as  well :  thus  sang 

Einarr: 

The  Lake  doth  bathe  the  vessel, 
Where  the  sea  'gainst  each  side  beateth, 
And  the  bright  wind-vanes  rattle; 
The  surf  washes  the  Flood-Steeds. 

Here  it  is  called  Flood  also.  Thus  sang  Refr,  as  was  said 

before: 

Wintry  One's'  wet-cold  Spae-Wife 
Wiles  the  Bear  of  Twisted  Cables 
Oft  into  ^gir's  wide  jaws, 
Where  the  angry  billow  breaketh.^ 

Deep,  as  Hallvardr  sang: 

The  Sword-Shaker  bids  be  pointed 
The  prow  of  the  hardy  ship-steed 
Westward  in  the  girdle 
Of  all  lands,  the  Watery  Deep. 

Way, as  here: 

On  our  course  from  land  we  glided. 
On  the  Way  to  the  coast  of  Finland: 
I  see  from  the  Ship's  Road,  eastward. 
The  fells  with  radiance  gleaming. 

Weir,  as  Egill  sang: 

^Gymir.  See  Gering,  Die  Edda,  p.  53,  note  2.  ^  See  page  138. 


2i8  PROSE  EDDA 

I  sailed  o'er  the  Weir 
To  the  West:  I  bear 
Odin's  Heart-Sea. 
So  it  stands  with  me. 

Ocean,  as  Einarr  sang: 

Many  a  day  the  cold  Ocean 

Washes  the  swarthy  deck-planks 

'Neath  the  gracious  Prince;  and  Snow-Storm 

Furrows  Mona's  Girdle. 

Salt,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

The  hardy  King  the  Salt  plowed 
From  the  east  with  hull  ice-laden: 
Brown  tempests  tossed  the  Lessener 
Of  Surf-Gold  toward  Sigtiin. 

Furtherer,  as  Bolverkr  sang: 

Thou  didst  summon  from  fair  Norway 
A  levy  the  next  season, 
With  Din-Surf's  ships  the  Furtherer 
Didst  shear;  o'er  decks  the  sea  poured. 

Here  the  sea  is  called  Din-Surf  also. 
Wide  One,  as  Refr  sang: 

To  its  breast  the  Stay's  steed  taketh 
The  Home  of  Planks,  beak-furrowed, 
And  tosses  the  Wide  One  over 
The  hard  side;  the  wood  suffers. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  219 

Dusky  One,  as  Njall  of  the  Burning  sang: 

We  sixteen  pumped,  my  Lady, 

In  four  oar-rooms,  but  the  surge  waxed: 

The  Dusky  One  beat  over 

The  hull  of  the  driven  sea-ship. 

These  are  other  names  for  the  Sea,  such  as  it  is  proper  to 
use  in  periphrasing  ships  or  gold. 

"Ran,  it  is  said,  was  iEgir's  wife,  even  as  is  written  here : 

To  the  sky  shot  up  the  Deep's  Gledes, 
With  fearful  might  the  sea  surged: 
Methinks  our  stems  the  clouds  cut, — 
Ran's  Road  to  the  moon  soared  upward. 

The  daughters  of  iEgir  and  Ran  are  nine,  and  their  names 
are  recorded  before:  Himinglaeva,^  Diifa,"  Blodughadda,^ 
Hefring,^  Udr,^  Hr6nn,'  Bylgja,'  Dr6fn,'  Kolga.^  Einarr 
Skulason  recorded  the  names  of  six  of  them  in  this  stanza, 
beginning: 

Himinglaeva  sternly  stirreth. 
And  fiercely,  the  sea's  wailing. 

Welling  Wave,^°  as  Valgardr  sang: 

Foam  rested  in  the  Sea's  bed: 
Swollen  with  wind,  the  deep  played, 

*  That  through  which  one  can  see  the  heaven  (Jonsson). 

^  The  Pitching  One  (Jonsson).  ^  Bloody-Hair.  ■*  Riser. 

s  Frothing  Wave.        ^  Welling  Wave.        ^  Billow.  ^  Foam-Fleck. 

9  Poetical  term  for  Wave.  "The  Cool  One"  (Jonsson). 

^°  In  the  following  stanzas,  for  the  sake  of  consistency,  I  have  been  obliged  to 

translate  the  names,  since  they  are  employed  in  the  stanzas  as  common  nouns, 


220  PROSE  EDDA 

And  the  Welling  Waves  were  washing 
The  awful  heads  of  the  war-ships. 

Billow,  as  Uttarr  the  Swarthy  sang: 

Ye  shear  with  shaven  rudder 
Billows  moisty-deep;  the  broad  sheet. 
Which  girls  spun,  on  the  mast-head 
With  the  Roller's  Reindeer  sported. 

Foam-Fleck,  as  Ormr  sang: 

The  hawk-like,  heedful  Lady 

Has  every  virtue:  Lofn 

Of  the  Foam-Fleck's  flame-gold,  faithful 

As  a  friend,  all  faults  renounceth. 

Wave-Borne,  as  Thorleikr  the  Fair  sang: 

The  sea  wails,  and  the  Wave-Borne 
Bears  bright  froth  o'er  the  red  wood. 
Where  gapes  the  Roller's  Brown  Ox, 
With  mouth  gold-ornamented. 

Shoal,  as  Einarr  sang: 

Nor  met  the  Forward-Minded, 
Where  the  fierce  sea  on  our  friends  falls; 
I  think  the  Shoal  becalmed  not 
The  Ship,  Wood  of  the  Waters. 

Fullness,  as  Refr  sang: 

rather  than  as  proper  names.  It  is  beyond  my  ability  to  translate  Himingl^'va 
briefly. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  221 

Downward  the  Fells  of  Fullness 
Fall  on  the  Bear  of  Tackle: 
Now  forward  Winterling  stirreth, 
The  ship,  on  Glammi's  sea-path. 


Comber/  as  here : 


The  Comber  fell  headlong  o'er  me; 
The  Main  called  me  home  unto  it: 
I  accepted  not  the  Sea's  bidding. 


Breaker,  as  Ottarr  sang 


In  burst  the  ship-sides  thin; 
Rushed  the  Breaker  downward;  flushed 
Stood  the  wind,  bane  of  the  wood; 
Men  endured  wild  tempest  then. 


Wave,  as  Bragi  sang 


The  Giver  of  the  Wave's  Coals, 
Who  cut  Thor's  slender  tackle. 
The  Line  of  the  Land  of  Sea-Mews, 
Loved  not  to  fight  the  wroth  sea. 

Sound,  as  Einarr  sang: 

I  sheared  the  Sound 
From  Hrund  south-bound; 
My  hand  was  gold-wound 
When  the  Giver  I  found. 

*  So  Cl.-Vig.  Literally,  the  word  means  ojni?ious,  foreboder. 


222  PROSE  EDDA 

Fjord,  as  Einarr  sang: 

Next  I  see  a  serpent 
Carved  well  on  the  splendid  ale-horn: 
Let  the  fjord-Fire's  Dispenser 
Learn  how  for  that  I  pay  him. 

Wetness,  as  Markus  sang: 

I'll  not  lampoon  the  Chatterer, 
Lord  of  the  fearful  sword-blade, 
Who  squanders  the  Sun  of  Wetness: 
111  is  he  who  spoileth  verses. 

LXI.  "  What  are  the  names  of  fire  ?  Even  as  is  written  here 

Not  seldom  does  the  fire  blaze 
Which  Magnus  sets:  the  stalwart 
Ruler  burns  habitations: 
Houses  blow  reek  before  him. 

Glow,  as  Valgardr  sang: 

Fierce  Glow,  with  red-hot  embers. 
Swiftly  from  the  soot  flared; 
Straight  o'er  the  tottering  dwellings 
Stood  up  the  dense  smoke-columns. 


Bale,  as  here 


Haki  was  burned  on  Bale, 

Where  the  sea's  broad  wake  weltered, 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  223 

Gledes,  as  Grani  sang: 

I  think  the  Gledes  diminished  .  .  . 
Glammi's  tracks;  thus  the  king  kindled. 

Embers,  as  Atli  sang: 

With  blood  the  axe  is  reddened, 
Embers  wax,  burn  many  houses. 
Halls  stand  aglow;  now  rages 
The  Gem;  good  men  are  falling. 

Here  fire  is  called  Gem  also. 
Vapor,  as  here: 

Half-built,  by  the  Nid's  side 
Burn  the  All-Ruler's  dwellings; 
I  think  fire  razed  the  hall's  pride: 
Vapor  shot  rime  on  the  people. 


Hot  Ashes,  as  Arnorr  sang 


The  Isle-Danes'  wrathful  Harmer 

With  the  Raumar  spared  not  hard  counsel 

Hot  Ashes  made  them  calmer; 

The  Heinir's  threatening  words  hushed. 


Flames,  as  Einarr  sang: 


Flame  soon  was  alight. 
And  swiftly  took  flight 
All  Hising's  host: 
The  fight  they  lost. 


224  PROSE  EDDA 

Flare,  as  Valgardr  sang: 

The  sturdy  king's  bright  Flare  soared 
Above  the  castle's  bulwark; 
The  vikings  burst  in  grimly: 
Grief  on  the  maid  descended. 

Lowe,  as  Haldorr  sang: 

There  did  ye  share  their  jewels, 
While  o'er  the  host  the  Shield's  Lowe, 
The  sword,  shrieked  fiercely :  never 
Wert  thou  spoiled  of  conquest. 

LXIL"These  are  time-names:  Cycle,  Days  of  Yore, Gen- 
eration, Lang-Syne,  Year,  Season,Winter, Summer, Spring, 
Autumn,  Month,  Week,  Day,  Night,  Morning,  Eve, Twi- 
light, Early,  Soon,  Late,  Betimes,  Day  before  Yesterday, 
Yester  Eve,  Yesterday,  To-morrow,  Hour,  Moment.  These 
are  more  names  of  Night  in  Ahvinnsmal: 

Night  't  is  called  among  men. 

And  among  the  gods,  Mist-Time; 

Hooded  Hour  the  Holy  Powers  know  it; 

Sorrowless  the  giants. 

And  elves  name  it  Sleep-Joy; 

The  dwarves  call  it  Dream-Weaver. 

["  It  is  autumn  from  the  equinox  till  the  time  when  the  sun 
sets  three  hours  and  a  half  after  noon;  then  winter  endures 
till  the  equinox;  then  it  is  spring  till  the  moving-days;^  then 

"  In  May. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  225 

summer  till  the  equinox.  The  month  next  before  winter  is 
called  Harvest-Month;  the  first  in  winter  is  the  Month  of 
Cattle-Slaughter;  then  Freezing  Month, then  Rain-Month, 
then  the  Month  of  Winter's  Wane,  then  Goi;^  then  Single- 
Month,  then  Cuckoo-Month  and  Seed-Time,  then  Egg- 
time  and  Lamb-Weaning-Time;  then  come  Sun-Month 
and  Pasture  Month,  then  Haying-Season;  then  Reaping 
Month.]  ^ 

LXni.  "What  are  the  simple  terms  for  men?  Each,  in 
himself,  is  Man;  the  first  and  highest  name  by  which  man 
is  called  is  Emperor;  next  to  that.  King;  the  next  thereto. 
Earl:  these  three  men  possess  in  common  all  the  follow- 
ing titles:  All-Ruler,  as  this  song  showeth: 

I  know  all  All-Rulers 
East  and  south,  o'er  the  Ships'  seat: 
Sveinn's  son  in  proof  is  better 
Than  any  other  War-Prince. 

Here  he  is  called  War- Prince  also;  for  this  reason  he  is 
called  All-Ruler,  that  he  is  sole  Ruler  of  all  his  realm. 
Host-Arrayer,  as  Gizurr  sang: 

The  Host-Arrayer  feedeth 
The  wolf  and  the  raven  in  folk-mote; 
Olafr  gladdens,  in  Skogul's  sharp  showers 
Of  battle,  the  geese  of  Odin. 


'  I  cannot  find  the  meaning  of  this  word. 

^  "This  passage,  which  U  lacks,  is  clearly  a  later  addition."  Jonsson,  Copen- 
hagen ed.  (1900),  p.  138,  footnote. 


226  PROSE  EDDA 

"A  King  is  called  Host-Arrayer  because  he  divides  his 
war-host  into  companies. 
Leader,  as  Ottarr  the  Swarthy  sang: 

The  Leader  taketh 
Odin's  loved  Wife, 
The  lordless  land; 
His  a  warrior's  life. 

Lord  or  Lording,  as  Arnorr  sang: 

The  Lord  of  Hjaltland,  highest 
Of  heroes,  gained  the  victory 
In  every  thunderous  sword-clash: 
The  bard  will  extol  his  glory. 

An  earl  is  called  Host-Duke,  and  a  king  also  is  so  termed, 
forasmuch  as  he  leads  his  host  to  battle.  Thus  sang  Thjo- 
dolfr: 

He  who  put  to  shame  the  Host-Duke 

Thrust  out  the  eyes  of  prisoners, — 

He  who  speeds  the  sacrifices; 

In  song  I  chant  his  praises. 

Signor,  or  Senor,  as  Sigvatr  sang: 

O  Norway's  gracious  Signor, 
Grant  the  wretched,  as  the  happy, 
May  now  enjoy  thy  wise  laws; 
Give  greatly,  hold  thy  word! 

Munificent  One,  as  Markiis  sang: 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  227 

The  Munificent  Prince  brought  fire's  destruction 
O'er  the  base  people;  to  the  pirates 
Death  was  fated:  Thief-Compeller, 
South  at  Jom  highest  flame-glow  kindle! 

Illustrious  One,  as  Hallvardr  sang: 

No  Illustrious  One  nearer 
Under  Earth's  Hazel  liveth 
Than  thou,  O  Monks'  Upholder: 
The  Gold-Minisher  Danes  protecteth. 

Land-Driver,  as  Thjodolfr  sang: 

The  guileless  Land-Driver  sprinkles 
Kraki's  gleaming  barley, 

as  was  written  before;^  he  is  called  so  because  he  drives 
his  host  about  the  lands  of  other  kings,  or  drives  a  host  out 
of  his  own  land. 

LXIV.  "There  was  a  king  named  Halfdan  the  Old,  who 
was  most  famous  of  all  kings.  He  made  a  great  sacrificial 
feast  at  mid-winter,  and  sacrificed  to  this  end,  that  he 
might  live  three  hundred  years  in  his  kingdom;  but  he 
received  these  answers :  he  should  not  live  more  than  the 
full  life  of  a  man,  but  for  three  hundred  years  there  should 
be  no  woman  and  no  man  in  his  line  who  was  not  of  great 
repute.  He  was  a  great  warrior,  and  went  on  forays  far  and 
wide  in  the  Eastern  Regions:^  there  he  slew  in  single  com- 
bat the  king  who  was  called  Sigtryggr.  Then  he  took  in 

*  See  page  173.  ^  That  is,  in  the  lands  bordering  the  Baltic. 


228  PROSE  EDDA 

marriage  that  woman  named  Alvig  the  Wise,  daughter  of 
King  Eymundr  of  Holmgardr:^  they  had  eighteen  sons, 
nine  born  at  one  birth.  These  were  their  names :  the  first, 
Thengill,^  who  was  called  Manna-Thengill;  ^  the  second, 
Raesir;^  the  third,  Gramr;^  the  fourth,  Gylfi;^  the  fifth, 
Hilmir ;  ^  the  sixth,  Jofurr ;  ^  the  seventh, Tyggi ;  ^  the  eighth, 
Skyli  ^  or  Skuli;  ^  the  ninth,  Harri  ^  or  Herra.^  These  nine 
brothers  became  so  famous  in  foraying  that,  in  all  records 
since,  their  names  are  used  as  titles  of  rank,  even  as  the 
name  of  King  or  that  of  Earl.  They  had  no  children,  and 
all  fell  in  battle.  Thus  sang  Ottarr  the  Swarthy: 

In  his  youth  stalwart  Thengill 
Was  swift  and  staunch  in  battle: 
I  pray  his  line  endureth; 
O'er  all  men  I  esteem  him. 

Thus  sang  Markiis: 

The  Raesir  let  the  Rhine's  Sun  shimmer 

From  the  reddened  Skull's  ship  on  the  Sea-Fells. 

Thus  sang  Egill: 

The  Gramr  the  hood  hath  lifted 

From  the  hair-fenced  brows  of  the  Singer. 

Thus  sang  Eyvindr: 

He  played  with  the  land-folk 
Who  should  have  defended; 

*  Russia. 

^  This  word  means  Prince  or  King;  Manna-ThengtU=  Prince  of  Men. 

3  All  of  these  words  are  poetic  names  for  a  Prince  or  King. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  229 

Gylfi  the  gladsome 

Stood  'neath  the  gold  helmet. 

Thus  sang  Glumr  Geirason: 

Hilmir  beneath  the  helmet 
Reddened  the  sword  hone-hollowed/ 

Thus  sang  Ottarr  the  Swarthy: 

Let  Jofurr  hear  the  beginning 

Of  his  laud:  all  the  king's  praises 

Shall  be  maintained,  and  justly 

Let  him  mark  my  praise-song's  measures. 

As  Stufr  sang: 

The  glory-ardent  Tyggi 

South  before  Niz  with  two  hands 

Beat  down  the  band  of  heroes : 

Glad  beneath  their  shields  the  host  went. 

Thus  sang  Hallfredr: 

From  Skyli  I  am  parted: 
This  age  of  swords  hath  caused  it. 
'T  is  greatest  of  all  self-mockings 
To  hope  that  the  king's  guard  cometh. 

Thus  sang  Markus : 

I  bid  the  hawklike  Danish  Harri 
Hark  to  my  cunning  web  of  praises. 

'  See  page  197. 


230  PROSE  EDDA 

"Halfdan  and  his  wife  had  nine  other  sons  also;  these  were 
Hildir,  from  whom  the  Hildings  are  come;  Nefir,  from 
whom  the  Niflungs  sprang;  Audi,  from  whom  the  Odlungs 
are  come;  Yngvi,  from  whom  the  Ynglings  are  descended; 
Dagr,  from  whom  come  the  DogHngs;  Bragi,  from  whom 
the  Bragnings  are  sprung  (that  is  the  race  of  Halfdan  the 
Munificent);  BudH,  from  whom  the  Budlungs  are  come 
(from  the  house  of  the  Budlungs  Atli  and  Brynhildr  de- 
scended) ;  the  eighth  was  Lofdi,  who  was  a  great  war-king 
(that  host  who  were  called  Lofdar  followed  him;  his  kin- 
dred are  called  Lofdungs,  whence  sprang  Eylimi,  Sigurdr 
Fafnisbani's  mother's  sire);  the  ninth,  Sigarr, whence  come 
the  Siklings :  that  is  the  house  of  Siggeirr,  who  was  son-in- 
law  of  Volsungr, — and  the  house  of  Sigarr,  who  hanged 
Hagbardr.  From  the  race  of  Hildings  sprang  Haraldr  the 
Red-Bearded,  mother's  father  of  Halfdan  the  Swarthy.  Of 
the  Niflung's  house  was  Gjuki;  of  the  house  of  Odlings, 
Kjarr;  of  the  house  of  the  Ylfings  was  Eirikr  the  Wise  in 
Speech.  These  also  are  illustrious  royal  houses:  fromYngvi, 
the  Ynglings  are  descended;  from  Skjoldr  in  Denmark,  the 
Skjoldungs  are  come ;  from  Volsungr  in  the  land  of  Franks, 
those  who  are  called  Volsungs.  One  war-king  was  named 
Skelfir;  and  his  house  is  called  the  House  of  Skilfings:  his 
kindred  is  in  the  Eastern  Region. 

"These  houses  which  were  named  but  now  have  been 
used  in  skaldship  for  titles  of  rank.  Even  as  Einarr  sang: 

I  learned  that  the  Hildings  sallied 
To  hold  the  Spear-Assembly 
On  the  Gray  Isle;  the  broad  shields. 
Green  lindens,  burst  in  sunder. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  231 

As  Grani  sang: 

The  Dogling  to  eagle's  kindred 
For  drink  gave  Danish  blood. 

As  Gamli  Gnaevadar-Skald  sang: 

Not  long  since,  the  young  Odling 
With  ship's  deck  and  with  sword-blade 
Joined  battle,  waging  fiercely 
Of  points  the  bitter  tempest. 

As  Jorunn  sang: 

The  Bragning  bade  the  weapons 
Be  dyed  in  blood  of  vile  folk; 
The  people  endured  his  anger: 
Houses  bowed  before  red  embers. 

Thus  sang  Einarr: 

The  Budlung's  blade  sheared, 
Blood  on  darts  was  smeared; 
The  storm-cloud  of  Hildr 
At  Whitby  spilled. 

Thus  sang  Arnorr: 

The  Kin  of  Siklings  inureth 
To  the  waves  the  ships  sea-tossing; 
With  blood  he  dyes  the  warships 
Within :  't  is  the  weal  of  ravens. 


232  PROSE  EDDA 

As  Thjodolfr  sang: 

Thus  the  doughty  SikHng  ended 
His  life;  in  dire  straits  were  we: 
The  glorious  Lofdung  waited 
Bravely  surcease  of  living. 

The  folk  who  were  called  Lofdar  followed  King  Lofdi. 
As  Arnorr  sang: 

Chief,  another  Skjoldung  higher 

Than  thou  shall  ne'er  be  born  'neath  sun's  light. 

Volsung,  as  Thorkell  Hamar-Skald  sang: 

The  Kin  of  Volsungs 
Gave  counsel  to  send  me 
The  gold-decked  weapon  - 
O'er  the  cool  waters. 

Yngling,  as  Ottarr  the  Swarthy  sang: 

In  the  East  no  mighty  Yngling 
To  earth  fell,  ere  o'ertook  thee 
He  who  subjected  to  him 
The  Sea-isles  from  the  w^estward. 

Yngvi:  that  too  is  a  king's  title,  as  Markus  sang: 

The  age  shall  hear  the  praise  of  Eirikr: 
None  in  the  world  a  prince  hath  known  of 
Lordlier;  thou  boldest,  Yngvi, 
The  Seat  of  Kings  with  long-kept  glory. 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  233 

Skilfing,  as  Valgardr  sang: 

The  Skilfing  kept  a  great  host 
Southward  in  the  broad  lands, 
Where  the  swift  ships  shivered: 
Sicily  soon  was  desolated. 

Signor,  as  Sigvatr  sang: 

O  Norway's  gracious  Signor, 
Let  the  poor  enjoy;  give  greatly/ 

LXV.  "Skalds  are  called  bards;  and  in  skaldship  it  is 
correct  to  call  any  man  so  whom  one  will.  Those  men 
who  served  King  Halfr  were  called  Champions/  and  from 
their  name  warriors  are  called  champions;  and  it  is  correct 
to  call  all  men  so.  In  skaldship  men  are  called  Lofdar 
also,  as  is  written  above. ^  Those  men  were  called  Skatnar^ 
who  served  the  king  named  Skati  the  Munificent:  from  his 
name  every  one  who  is  munificent  is  called  Skati.  They 
who  followed  Bragi  the  Old  were  called  Bragnar.^  They 
who  assess  the  transactions  of  men  are  called  taxers.  Fyr- 
dar^  and  Firar^  are  they  called  who  defend  the  land.  Vi- 
kings and  fleet-men  form  a  ship-army.  They  who  followed 
King  Beimuni  were  called  Beimar.^  Captains  of  companies 
are  called  Grooms,  even  as  he  is  called  who  carries  home 
a  bride.  The  Goths  are  named  after  that  king  who  was 
called  Goti,  from  whom  Gotland  is  named:  he  was  so 
called  after  Odin's  name,  derived  from  the  name  Gautr^ 

^  See  page  226.  ^  Rekkar.  ^  See  page  232. 

^  Plural  of  Skati  =  lordly,  towering.  ^  Heroes. 

6,  7  Cf.  A.-S.fyrd.Jiras.  »  Heroes,  Men. 


234  PROSE  EDDA 

for  Gautland  or  Gotland  was  named  after  Odin's  name, 
and  Sweden  from  the  name  of  Svidurr,  which  is  also  a  title 
of  Odin's.  At  that  time  all  the  mainland  which  he  pos- 
sessed was  called  Reid-Gotaland,  and  all  the  islands,  Ey- 
Gotaland:  that  is  now  called  the  Realm  of  Danes  or  of 
Swedes. 

"Young  men  not  householders  are  called  Drengs,  while 
they  are  acquiring  wealth  and  glory:  sea-faring  Drengs 
are  they  who  voyage  from  land  to  land;  King's  Drengs  are 
they  who  serve  rulers.  They  also  are  Drengs  who  serve 
wealthy  men  or  franklins;  valiant  and  ambitious  men  are 
called  Drengs.  Warriors  are  also  called  Champions  and 
Troops :  these  are  soldiers.  Freeholders  are  called  Thanes 
and  Yeomen;  those  men  who  go  about  reconciling  men 
are  called  Day-Men.  These  men  are  they  who  are  called 
Champions,  Kemps,  Men  of  War,  Brave  Men,  Valiant 
Men,  Hardy  Men,  Overpowerers,  Heroes.  Over  against 
these  are  the  following  terms:  Soft,  Weak,  Unleavened, 
Leavenless,  Melting  One,Sheath, Coward, Skulker,  Weak- 
ling, Qualmish,  CaitifF,  Scamp,  Vile  One,  Dog,  Lout, 
Feeble  One,  Paltry  One,  Imbecile,  Bungler,  Son  of 
Wretchedness. 

"A  good  man  of  his  hands  is  called  Munificent,  Illustri- 
ous, Towerer,  Mighty  Towerer,  Towering  Gold-Giver, 
Prince  of  Men,  Wealthy  One,  Prosperous,  Heaper-Up  of 
Riches,  Mighty  Man,  Chieftain.  In  contrast  to  these  are 
they  who  are  called  Niggard,  Miser,  Calculator,  Wretched 
One,  Wealth-Hiding,  Gift-Tardy  One.  A  man  wise  in 
Counsel  is  called  Wielder  of  Counsel.  A  witless  man  is 
called  Clown,  Oaf,  Gander,  Dupe,  Boor,  Idiot,  Dolt,  Fool, 
Madman,  Maniac,  Moon-Struck.  One  who  thinks  much 
of  dress  is  called  Gaudy,  Dreng,  Glittering  One,  Careful 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  235 

of  Attire,  Tricked-Out.  A  noisy  fellow  is  called  Shark- 
Skin,  Braggart,  Sheath-Cleaner,  Fawner,  Brawler,  Good- 
for-Naught,  Worthless  One.  Common-folk  are  called 
Country-folk  or  People.  A  thrall  is  called  Kept-Man,  Serf, 
Laborer,  Servant. 

LXVL  "Each  one  singly  is  called  man;  't  is  twain  if  they 
are  two;  three  are  a  thorp;  four  are  a  group;  a  band  is  five 
men;  if  there  are  six,  it  is  a  squad;  seven  complete  a  crew; 
eight  men  make  a  panel;  nine  are  'good  fellows;'  ten  are 
a  gang;  eleven  form  an  embassy;  it  is  a  dozen  if  twelve  go 
together;  thirteen  are  a  crowd;  fourteen  are  an  expedi- 
tion; it  is  a  gathering,  when  fifteen  meet;  sixteen  make 
a  garrison;  seventeen  are  a  congregation;  to  him  who 
meets  eighteen,  they  seem  enemies  enough.  He  who  has 
nineteen  men  has  a  company;  twenty  men  are  a  posse; 
thirty  are  a  squadron;  forty,  a  community;  fifty  area 
shire;  sixty  are  an  assembly;  seventy  are  a  line;^  eighty  are 
a  people;  one  hundred  is  a  host. 

LXVn.  "Beside  these  there  are  those  terms  which  men 
prefix  to  the  names  of  men:  we  call  such  terms  epithets 
of  possession,^  or  true  terms,  or  surnames.  It  is  an  epithet 
of  possession  when  one  names  a  thing  by  its  true  name, 
and  calls  him  whom  one  desires  to  periphrase  Owner  of 
that  thing;  or  Father  or  Grandfather  of  that  which  was 
named;  Grandsire  is  a  third  epithet.  Moreover,  a  son  is 
also  called  Heir,  Heritor,  Bairn,  Child  and  Boy,  Inheritor. 
A  blood-kinsman  is  called  Brother,  Twin,  Germane,  Con- 
sanguine; a  relation  is  also  called  Nephew,  Kinsman,  Kin, 

*  Sor-vaty  plural  of  sbrvi,  a  lady's  necklace. 

*  yidkenningar :  literally,  by-periphrases. 


236  PROSE  EDDA 

Kith,  Friend,  Kin-Stave,  Descendant,  Family-Prop,  Fam- 
ily-Stem, Kin-Branch,  Family-Bough,  Offshoot,  Offspring, 
Head-Tree,  Scion.  Kinsmen  by  marriage  are  further  called 
Sib-folk,  Minglers  of  Blood.  A  friend  is  called  Counsel- 
Mate,  Counsel-Giver,  Adviser,  Secret-Sharer,  Converser, 
Bench-Fellow,  Fondling,  Seat-Mate;  bench-fellow  also 
means  Cabin-Mate.  A  foe  is  called  Adversary,  Shooter 
Against  One,  Hater,  Attacker,  Scather,  Slayer,  Hard- 
Presser,  Pursuer,  Overbearer. 

"These  terms  we  call  epithets  of  possession;  and  so  also 
if  a  man  is  known  by  his  dwelling  or  his  ship,  which  has  a 
name  of  its  own,  or  by  his  estate,  when  a  name  of  its  own 
is  given  to  it. 

"  This  we  call  true  terms :  to  call  a  man  Wise  Man,  Man 
of  Thought,  Wise  in  Speech,  Sage  in  Counsel,  Wealth- 
Munificent,  Not  Slack,  Endower,  Illustrious  One;  these 
are  surnames. 

LXVHI.  "These  are  simple  terms  for  women  in  skald- 
ship  :  Wife  and  Bride  and  Matron  are  those  women  who 
are  given  to  a  man.  Those  who  walk  in  pomp  and  fine 
array  are  called  Dame  and  Lady.  They  who  are  witty 
of  speech  are  called  Women  of  Wisdom.^  They  who  are 
gentle  are  called  Girls;  they  who  are  of  high  countenance 
are  called  Proud  and  Haughty  Ones.  She  who  is  of  noble 
mind  is  called  Gentlewoman;^  she  who  is  richest.  Lady. 
She  who  is  bashful,  as  young  maids  are,  or  those  women 
who  are  modest,  is  called  Lass.  The  woman  whose  hus- 
band has  departed  from  the  land  is  called  Stay-at-Home. 


'  Snot  (plural,  Sn6tir)  =  si  gentlewoman.  Cf.  Snotr  =  wist,  A  popular  etymology. 
2  Literally  =  Plowshare.  (See  Cl.-Vig.,  p.  498.) 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  237 

That  woman  whose  husband  is  slain  is  called  War- Widow: 
Widow  is  the  term  for  her  whose  husband  has  died  of  sick- 
ness. Maid  means,  first,  every  woman,  and  then  carlines 
that  are  old.  Then  there  are  those  terms  for  women  which 
are  libellous :  one  may  find  them  in  songs,  though  they  be 
not  in  writing.  Those  women  who  have  one  husband  in 
common  are  called  Concubines.  A  son's  wife  is  termed 
Daughter-in-law;  the  husband's  mother  is  called  Mother- 
in-law.  A  woman  may  also  be  called  Mother,  Grand- 
mother, Great-Grandmother;  a  Mother  is  called  Dam. 
Woman  is  further  called  Daughter,  Bairn,  and  Child.  She 
is  also  called  Sister,  Lady,'  and  Maiden.'  Woman  is  also 
called  Bed-Fellow,  Speech-Mate,  and  Secret-Sharer  of  her 
husband;  and  that  is  an  epithet  of  possession. 

LXIX.  "A  man's  head  is  termed  thus:  [thus  should  it  be 
periphrased:  call  it  Toil  or  Burden  of  the  Neck;  Land  of 
the  Helm,  of  the  Hood,  and  of  the  Brain,  of  the  Hair  and 
Brows,  of  the  Scalp,  of  Ears,  Eyes,  and  Mouth;  Sword  of 
Heimdallr,  and  it  is  correct  to  name  any  term  for  sword 
which  one  desires;  and  to  periphrase  it  in  terms  of  every 
one  of  the  names  of  Heimdallr]  ^  the  Head,  in  simple 
terms,  is  called  Skull,  Brain,  Temple,  Crown.  The  eyes 
are  termed  Vision  or  Glance,  and  Regard,  Swift-Apprais- 
ing; [they  may  be  so  periphrased  as  to  call  them  Sun  or 
Moon,  Shields  and  Glass  or  JewelsorStones  of  the  Eyelids, 
of  the  Brows,  the  Lashes,  or  the  Forehead] .  The  ears  are 
called    Listeners^  or    Hearing;^    [one   should    periphrase 

^  Dn;  jodis:  properly  =  sister.  For  discussion  of  these  words,  see  under  dU 
in  Cl.-Vig.,  p.  100. 

2  This  and  other  passages  in  brackets  are  probably  spurious. 

3  These  are  the  literal  meanings  ;  the  meanings,  in  general  usage,  coincide  :  both 
words  signify  the  inner  parts  of  the  ear  (Cl.-Vig.). 


238  PROSE  EDDA 

them  by  calling  them  Land,  or  any  earth-name,  or  Mouth, 
or  Canal,  or  Vision,  or  Eyes  of  Hearing,  if  the  metaphors 
employed  are  new-coined.  The  mouth  one  should  peri- 
phrase  by  calling  it  Land  or  House  of  the  Tongue  or  of  the 
Teeth,  of  Words  or  of  the  Palate,  of  the  Lips,  or  the  like; 
and  if  the  metaphors  used  are  not  traditional,  then  men 
may  call  the  mouth  Ship,  and  the  lips  the  Planks,  and  the 
tongue  Oar  or  Tiller  of  the  Ship.  The  teeth  are  sometimes 
called  Gravel  or  Rocks  of  Words,  of  the  Mouth,  or  of  the 
Tongue.  The  tongue  is  often  called  Sword  of  Speech  or  of 
the  Mouth] .  The  hair  which  stands  on  the  lips  is  called 
Beard,  Moustache,  or  Whiskers.  Hair  is  called  Nap;  the 
hair  of  women  is  called  Tresses.  Hair  is  termed  Locks. 
[One  may  periphrase  hair  by  calling  it  Forest,  or  by  some 
tree-name;  one  may  periphrase  it  in  terms  of  the  skull  or 
brain  or  head;  and  the  beard  in  terms  of  chin  or  cheeks  or 
throat.] 

LXX.  "The  heart  is  called  grain-sheaf;  [one  should  peri- 
phrase it  by  terming  it  Grain  or  Stone  or  Apple  or  Nut  or 
Ball,  or  the  like,  in  figures  of  the  breast  or  of  feeling.  More- 
over, it  may  be  called  House  or  Earth  or  Mount  of  Feeling. 
One  should  periphrase  the  breast  by  calling  it  House  or 
Garth  or  Ship  of  the  Heart,of  Breath,  or  of  the  Liver;  Land 
of  Energy,  of  Feeling,  and  of  Memory].  Feeling  is  affec- 
tion and  emotion,  love,  passion,  desire,  love-longing.  [Pas- 
sion should  be  periphrased  by  calling  it  Wind  of  Troll- 
Women;  also  it  is  correct  to  name  what  one  soever  is  de- 
sired,and  to  name  giants,  periphrasinggiantesses  as  Woman 
or  Mother  or  Daughter  of  the  Giants.]  Feeling  is  also  called 
mood,  liking,  eagerness,  courage,  activity,  memory,  under- 


THE  POESY  OF  SKALDS  239 

standing,  temper,  humor,  good  faith.  It  is  also  wrath,  en- 
mity, mischievousness,  grimness,  balefulness,  grief,  sorrow, 
ill-will,  spite,  falseness,  faithlessness,  fickleness,  light- 
mindedness,  baseness,  hasty  temper,  violence. 

LXXI.  "The  hand  and  fore-arm  may  be  called  hand,  arm, 
paw,  palm.  Parts  of  the  arm  are  called  elbow,  upper  arm, 
wolPs  joint,^  finger,  grip,  wrist,  nail,  finger-tip,  hand-edge, 
quick.  [One  may  term  the  hand  Earth  of  Weapons  or  of 
Defensive  Armor;  and  together  with  shoulder  and  arm, 
the  hollow  of  the  hand  and  the  wrist,  it  may  be  called 
Earth  of  Gold  Rings,  of  the  Falcon  and  the  Hawk,  and 
of  all  the  equivalents  thereof;  and  in  new-coined  meta- 
phors. Leg  of  the  Shoulder-Joint,  and  Force  of  the  Bow. 
The  legs  may  be  called  Tree  of  the  Soles,  of  the  Insteps, 
of  the  Ankles,  or  the  like ;  Running  Shaft  of  the  Road  or  of 
the  Way  or  the  Pace;  one  may  call  the  leg  Tree  or  Post  of 
all  these.  The  legs  are  periphrased  in  metaphors  of  snow- 
shoes,  shoes,  and  breeks.]  The  parts  of  the  legs  are  called 
thigh,  knee,  calf,  lower  leg,  upper  leg,  instep,  arch,  sole, 
toe;  [one  may  periphrase  the  leg  in  terms  of  all  these,  call- 
ing it  Tree,  Mast,  and  Yard  thereof;  and  in  metaphors  of 
them  all]. 

LXXII.  "Speech  is  called  words, language, eloquence, talk, 
tale,  gibing,  controversy,  song,  spell,  recital,  idle  talk,  bab- 
bling, din,  chatter,  squalling,  merry  noise,  wrangling,  mock- 
ing, quarrelling,  wish-wash,  boasting,  tittle-tattle,  nonsense, 
idiom,  vanity,  gabbling.  It  is  also  termed  voice,  sound,  re- 
sonance, articulation,  wailing,  shriek,  dash,  crash,  alarm, 
roaring,  creaking,  swoop,  swooping,  outburst. 

'  This  is  the  wrist-joint. 


240  PROSE  EDDA 

LXXIII.  "Understanding  is  called  wisdom,  counsel,  dis- 
cernment, memory,  speculation,  intelligence,  arithmetic, 
far  sight,*  craft,  word-wit,  preeminence.  It  is  called  sub- 
tlety, wiliness,  falsehood,  fickleness. 

LXXI V.  "  Expression  is  of  two  kinds :  that  which  is  called 
voice,  and  that  which  is  called  manners;  manners  is  also 
temper.  Reidi^  also  has  double  meaning:  reidi^  is  the  ill- 
humor  of  a  man,  and  reidi^  is  also  the  rigging  of  a  ship  or 
the  driving-gear  of  a  horse.  Far  also  has  double  meaning: 
far"^  signifies  wrath,  andy^r^  signifies  a  ship. 

''Men  have  made  frequent  use  of  such  ambiguous  ex- 
pressions as  these;  and  this  practice  is  called  punning. 
\_Lith^  is  that  part  of  a  man  where  bones  meet;  lid  is  a 
word  for  ship;  lid  means  people;  when  a  man  renders  an- 
other assistance,  his  aid  is  lid;  lid  signifies  ale.  Hlid  sig- 
nifies the  gate  in  a  garth;  hlidr  men  call  an  ox,  and  hlid 
signifies  a  slope.  One  may  make  such  use  of  these  distinct 
meanings  in  skaldship  as  to  make  a  pun  that  is  hard  to  in- 
terpret, provided  one  employ  other  distinctions  than  those 
which  are  indicated  by  the  half-lines  which  precede.  These 
cases  are  there,  and  many  others,  in  which  divers  things 
have  the  same  name  in  common.]  " 


*  That  is,  prophecy.  "^  These  are  properly  two  different  words. 

'  LiL 


ABBREVIATIONS 

Cl.-Vig.  =the  Cleasby-Vigfdsson   Icelandic-English  Dictionary, 
Oxford,  1874. 

Cod.  Reg.  =  Codex    Regius ^    one   of  the  manuscripts  in  which 
Snorri's  Edda  is  preserved. 

Cod.  Worm.  =  Codex  Wormianus,  another  of  the  manuscripts. 

Cod.  Upsal.  =  Codex  Upsaliensis,  a  third  manuscript  (U). 

Yngl.  S.  =  Tnglinga  Saga, 

Gylfag.  =  Gylfagi?ining. 

Skalds.  =  Skaldskaparmdl. 


INDEX 


INDEX 

/\.DAM  and  Eve,  3. 
Adils,  legendary  king  of  Sweden 
(the  Eadgils  of  Beoivulf),  1 70- 


172,  212. 

Africa,  5. 

Agdir,  on  the  southwest  coast  of 
Norway,  207. 

Age  of  Gold,  25. 

Ai,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Aleifr(OlafrPa),  Icelandic  chief- 
tain of  the  tenth-eleventh  cen- 
tury, 106. 

Alfheimr,  abode  of  the  Light- 
Elves,  31. 

Alfr,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Ali\)dr,  34.  See  AUfather. 

Ali  or  Vali,  son  of  Odin  and 
Rindr,  4i_,  1 14. 

Ali,  legendary  king  of  Norway, 
slain  by  Adils,  170,  171,  212. 

AUfather  (Odin),  15,  22,  25,  27, 

31,  42,43,  46,  51,  97- 
All-Strong,  Sun's  horse,  23. 
Alsvidr.  See  All- Strong. 
Als'vinnsmdl,  one  of  the  poems 

of  the  Elder  Edda,  213,  224. 
Althjofr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Alvig,  wife  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

228-230. 
Amlodi,  1 40. "  Amlodi's  Churn  " 

(  =  the  sea),  140. 
Amsvartnir,  a  lake,  44. 
Andhrimnir,  50. 
Andlangr,  the  second  heaven,  32. 


Andvari,  a  dwarf,  26, 
Andvari's  Yield,  156. 
Angles,  197. 
Angrboda,  a  giantess^  42. 
Annarr,    second      husband 

Night,  22. 
Apli,  an  ox,  213. 
Apostles,  194. 

213. 


51,  152. 


of 


Arfr,  an  ox. 


Arfu 


ni,  an  ox,  213. 


Arnorr  Earls'  Skald,  poet  of  the 
eleventh  century,  97,  1 34-1 36, 
180,  181,  196,  198,  201,  209, 
216,  218,  223,  226,  231,  232. 

Arvakr.  See  Early- Wake. 

Asa-Thor,  59,  64,  65^  85,  116. 

Asgard^  abode  of  the  -^sir,  cita- 
del of  the  gods,  14,  15,  21,  22, 
25,74,83,89-91,96,107,109, 
116,  143,  145,  146. 

Asgrimr,  an  Icelandic  skald,  141. 

Asia,  5,  8,  9. 

Askr  ("Ash''?),  according  to 
pagan  tradition  the  first  cre- 
ated man^  21. 

Aslaug,  daughter  of  Sigurdr  Faf- 
nisbani  and  Gudrun,  159. 

Asynjur,  the  goddesses  corre- 
sponding to  the  male -^sir,  33, 
45,  48,  89,  129,  143. 

Athra  or  Annarr,  7. 

Atli,  son  of  Budli,  brother  of 
Brynhildr,  and  second  husband 
of  Gudrun,  156, 157,212,  230. 


246 


INDEX 


Atli,  a  skald,  223. 

Atridr  or  Atridi,  a  name  of  Odin, 
34,  211. 

Audi,  a  name  of  Odin,  230. 

Audr,  son  of  Naglfari  and  Night, 
22,  136,  137. 

Audumla,thecow  that  nourished 
Ymir,  18,  19. 

Augustus  Caesar,  161. 

Aurboda,  a  giantess,  mother  of 
Gerdr,  48. 

Aurnir,  a  giant,  165. 

Aurvandill,  118,  119.  "Aurvan- 
diirs  Toe,'*  a  star,  119. 

Aurvangar,  27. 

Austri,  a  dwarf,  26,  133,  134. 

Awful  Winter,  the  winter  pre- 
ceding Ragnarok,  77. 

JjAFURR,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Baldr  or  Beldeg,  son  of  Odin,  8, 

28,36,41,71-75,83,  92,  100, 

III,  114,  115,  119,  129,  174. 

"Baldr*s  Brow,"  a  plant,  36. 
Baleygr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Barrey,  49. 
Baugi,  a  giant,  brother  of  Sut- 

tungr,  94,  95. 
Bedvig,  7. 
Beigudr,  one  of  Hrolfr  Kraki*s 

berserks,  171. 
Beimar,  233. 

Beimuni,  a  legendary  king,  233. 
Beldeg.  See  Baldr. 
Beli,  a  giant  slain  by  Freyr,  49, 

81,  1 12,  120,  21 1. 


Bergelmir,  ancestor  of  the  Rime- 
Giants,  19. 
Bersi,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 

eleventh  century,  181. 
Bestla,  mother  of  Odin,  Vili,  and 

Ve,  19. 
Biflindi,  a  name  of  Odin,  34, 
Bifrost,  bridge  of  the  ^sir,  24, 

25,  28,  40,  53,  79. 
Bifurr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Bikki    (  =  Sibicho),  Jormunrek- 

kr's  faithless  counsellor,  158. 
Bil  and  Hjuki,  the  children  who 

follow  the  moon's  course  (cf. 

Jill  and  Jack),  23,  47. 
Bileygr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Bilskirnir,  Thor's  hall,  35,  107, 

109. 
Bjaf  or  Bjarr,  7. 
Bjarkamdl,  poem   attributed   to 

Bjarki,  the    warrior-skald    of 

Hrolfr  Kraki,  173. 
Bjarr,  212. 
Bjorn,  212. 

Black-Elves.  See  Dark-Elves. 
Blakkr,  a  horse,  211. 
Blodughadda,  a  daughter  of  the 

sea-god  -^gir,  219. 
Blodughofi,  a  horse,  211. 
Bodn,  a  vat,  93-95,  103,  105. 
Borr,  father  of  Odin,  Vili,  and 

Ve,  19-21,  103. 
Bragi,  the  god  of  poesy,  39,  53, 

89>  92,  94>  96,  99»  113,  115, 
121,  130. 
Bragi,  a  Norwegian  skald  of  the 


INDEX 


247 


ninth  century,   13,  103,  107- 

109,  143,  144,  150*  i59>  160, 

185,  189,  221. 
Bragi,  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

legendary  king,  230. 
Bragi  the  Old,  legendary  king, 

203. 
Bragnings,  the  dynasty  of  Bragi 

Halfdanarson,  230,  231. 
Brandr,  8. 
Breidablik,  the  abode  of  Baldr, 

31,  36. 
Brimir,  a  hall,  82. 
Brisinga-men,  Freyja's  necklace, 

46,  113,  114,  129,  132. 
Brokkr,  a  dwarf,  145. 
Brunnakr's  brook,  132. 
Brynhildr,  155,  156.  See  Hildr. 
Budli,  son  of  Halfdan,  father  of 

Atli  and  Brynhildr,  156,  230. 
Budlungs,  the  dynasty  of  Budli, 

230,  231. 
Bui,  183. 
Buri,  primogenitor  of  the  gods, 

19,  103. 
Buseyra,  iii. 
Byleistr,  brother  of  Loki,  41,  80, 

114. 
Bylgja,  a  daughter  of  -^gir,  219. 
Byrgir,  23. 
Bodvar-Bjarki,    one    of    Hrolfr 

Kraki's  berserks,  171. 
Bodvarr  the  Halt,  an  Icelandic 

skald  of  the  twelfth  century, 

134.  [19. 

Bolthorn,  a  giant,  father  of  Bestla, 


Bolverkr,  a  name  of  Odin,  as- 
sumed by  him  on  his  visit  to 
Hnitbj6rg,  34,  95^"- 

Bolverkr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 
the  eleventh  century,  son  of 
Arnorr,  218. 

Bomburr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

V^HRiST,  161,  194-197. 

Constantinople,  197. 

Creation:   Hebrew  tradition,  35 

Teutonic  pagan  tradition,  16- 

26. 

JL/AGR,  211. 

Dagr,  son  of  Halfdan,  230. 

Dainn,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Dainn,  a  hart,  29,  210. 

Dainsleif,  Hogni's  sword,  189. 

Dalarr,  a  hart,  210. 

Dalr,  a  hart,  210. 

Danes,  8,  234. 

Dark-Elves,  31,  43. 

Day,  136. 

Day,  god  of  the  day,  22. 

Dayspring,    third    husband     of 

Night,    and   father    of    Day, 

22. 
Denmark,  9,  13,  161,  169,  199, 

230. 
Dolgthvari,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Dori,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Draupnir,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Draupnir,  Odin's  gold  ring,  73, 

74,  III,  134,   143,  146,  147, 

174. 


248 


INDEX 


Drofn,    a    daughter    of    -^gir, 

219. 
Dromi,  a  fetter,  43. 
Drosull,  a  horse,  211. 
Dufa,  a  daughter  of  -^gir,  219. 
Dufr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Duneyrr,  a  hart,  29,  210. 
Durathror,  a  hart,  29,  210. 
Durinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Dvalinn,  a  dwarf,  26,  104,  211. 
Dvalinn,  a  hart,  29,  210. 
Doglings,    a    Swedish    dynasty, 


2  7.0, 


31 


E 


iARLY-Wake,  Sun's  horse,  23, 
212. 

East,  a  dwarf,  20. 

Egill  Skallagrimsson,  an  Ice- 
landic skald  of  the  tenth  cen- 
tury, 100,  104,  112,  142,  169, 
209,  217,  228. 

Egill  Volusteinsson,  an  Icelandic 
skald,  son  of  Volu-Steinn,  q.'v.^ 
106. 

Eikin,  a  river,  52. 

Eikinskjaldi,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Eikthyrni,    a    hart    in    Valhall, 

52. 
Eilifr  Gudrunarson,  an  Icelandic 

skald  (c.  1000),  105, 108,  109, 

123,  194. 
Eilifr  Kulnasveinn,  a  skald,  195, 

196. 
Einarr    Skulason,    an    Icelandic 

skald,  I  39,  140,  148, 1 69, 175, 

196,  214,  219. 


Einarr  Tinkling-Scale^  an  Ice- 
landic skald  of  the  tenth  cen- 
tury, 103-105,  175,  176,  182- 
184,  -J87,  193,  203,  205,  207, 
209,  214,  215,  217,  218,  220- 
223,  230,  231. 

Einherjar,     Odin's    Champions, 

48,  53- 

Einridi,  7. 

Einridi,  a  name  of  Thor,  121. 

Eirikr,  son  of  Earl  Hakon  the 
Mighty,  205. 

Eirikr  the  Wise-in-Speech,  230. 

Eiriks7ndly  a  poem  on  Eirikr 
Blood-axe,  102. 

Eldhrimnir,  a  kettle,  50. 

Elfin-Beam,  the  sun,  84. 

Ella,  129. 

Elli  (''Old  Age*'),  65-67. 

Elves,  29,  31,  32,  80,  96. 

Embla  ("  Maple"?),  the  first  cre- 
ated woman,  21. 

Enea.  See  Europa. 

England,  9,  104,  197,  199. 

Erpr,  one  of  Gudrun's  three  sons 
by  Jonakr,  158-160. 

Erringar-Steinn,  a  skald,  191. 

Europa  or  Enea,  Europe,  5. 

Ey-Gotaland,  234. 

Eyjolfr  the  Valiant  Skald,  an  Ice- 
landic poet  of  the  early  eleventh 
century,  194,  208. 

Eylimi,  maternal  grandfather  of 
Sigurdr  the  Volsung,  153,230. 

Eymundr,  a  king  of  Holmgardr, 
228. 


INDEX 


249 


Eysteinn  Valdason,  an  Ice/andic 
skald  of  the  tenth  century, 
108. 

Eyvlndr  Skald-Despoiler,  a  Nor- 
wegian skald  of  the  tenth  cen- 
tury, 98-100,  102,   105,   106, 

112,  136,  148,  172,  181,  188, 
197,  205,  228. 

V  AFNIR,  brother  of  Otter,  151- 

154,  174,  213. 
Fakr,  a  horse,  211. 
Falhofnir,  a  horse,  28,  211. 
Fair,  a  dwarf,  27. 
FarbautI    the    giant,    father    of 

Loki,  41,  114. 
Farmatyr  ("God  of  Cargoes"), 

a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Fearful-Tusk,  Freyr's  boar,  73, 

113. 
Fenja,  one  of  the  two  giantesses 

who  turned  the  stones  of  the 

mill   Grotti   for  King  Frodi, 

162-169,  174. 
Fenris-Wolf  or  Fenrir,  24,   39, 

42-45,  50j  78-81,  83,  84,  loi, 

113,  114. 

Fensalir,  Frigg's  abode,  45,  71, 

129. 
Fidr,  a  dwarf,  27. 
Fill,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Fimbulthul,  a  river,  16,  52. 
Finland,  217. 
Finn,  7. 
Fire-Kindler,    one     of    ^gir's 

thralls,  144. 


Five-Finger,      one     of     ^gir's 

thralls,  144. 
Fjalarr,  a  dwarf,  93. 
Fjolnir,    a    legendary     Swedish 

king,  162. 
Fjolnir,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Fjolsvidr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Fjorgvin   or    Fjorgynn,   Frigg's 

mother,  22,  129,  208. 
Fjorm,  a  river,  16,  52. 
Fjorsvartnir,  Night's  horse,  212. 
F61kvangar,Freyja'sdwelling,38. 
Fornjotr,  father  of  the  Wind,  141. 
Forseti,  son  of  Baldr,  41,  89,  1 1 1. 
Franangr-Falls,  75. 
Frankland  (Franconia,  or  all  the 

territory     occupied      by     the 

Franks),  8. 
Franks,  the,  230. 
Freki,  one  of  Odin's  wolves,  50, 

51- 

Freovin,  8. 

Freyja,  daughter  of  Njordr,  38, 
46,  54j  73,  89,  91,  111-113, 
116,  128,  129,  143,  148-150, 
184,  187. 

Freyr,  son  of  Njordr,  38,  48-50, 
S^y  73,  79,  81,  89,  III,  112, 
129,  143,  146,  147,  149. 

Friallaf  or  Fridleifr,  7,  8. 

Fridleifr,  161,  162. 

Frigg  or  Frigid  a,  wife  of  Odin,  7, 
22,  33,  45-47,  71-74,  Si,  89, 
99,  m,  114,  121,   129,  136, 

143- 
Frjodigar  or  Frodi,  8. 


250 


INDEX 


Frodi,  legendary  king  of  Den- 
mark, 161.  Frodi's  Peace,  161- 
164,  167-169. 

Frosti,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Frosty-Mane,  Night's  horse,  22. 

Fulla,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46, 
74,  89,  129,  143,  148. 

Fundinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Fyri,  a  river  in  Sweden,  171- 
173. 

Fyris-Plain,  143. 

Folkvir,  a  horse,  212. 

VJalarr^  a  dwarf,  93. 

Gamli  Gnaevadar-Skald,  an  Ice- 
landic skald  of  the  eleventh 
century,  109,  231. 

Gandalfr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Gangleri,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Gangleri,  alias  of  Gylfi,  King  of 
Sweden,  i4fF.,  23-25,  27-36, 
38,  44>  45,  49-53,  S^y  57>  68, 
70,  75,  77,  81,  82,  84. 

Gangr,  a  giant,  92,  124. 

Gardar,  the  modern  Russia,  196. 

Gardrofa,  a  horse,  47. 

Garmr,  a  dog,  53,  79. 

Gauta-Tyr  ("God  of  Geats"  ?), 
a  title  of  Odin,  99. 

Gautr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34,  204, 

233- 
Geats,  197. 

Gefjun,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  13, 

46,  89,  143. 
Gefn,  a  name  of  Freyja,  46,  149. 
Geirahod,  a  Valkyr,  48. 


Geirrodr,  a  giant,  33,  107,  no, 

114,  121-124. 
Geirvimul,  a  river,  52. 
Geitir,  191. 
Gelgja,  a  chain,  45. 
Gerdr,  wife  of  Freyr,  48,  49,  89. 
Geri,  one  of  Odin*s  wolves,  50, 

51- 
Gevis  or  Gave,  8. 
Gillingr,  a  giant,  93,  94,  105. 
Gimle,  the  pagan  Paradise,  16, 

31,82. 
Ginnarr,  a  dwarf,  27. 
Ginnungagap,  the  Chaos  of  the 

Scandinavian  mythology,  17, 

20. 
Gipul,  a  river,  52. 
Gisl,  a  horse,  28,  211. 
Gizurr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 

eleventh  centuiy,  225. 
Gjallar-Horn,  Heimdallr*s  trum- 
pet, 27,  40,  79,  80. 
Gjalp,  a   giantess,  daughter  of 

Geirrodr,  no,  122  ff.,  210. 
Gjuki,    Sigurdr's    father-in-law, 

155,  159,  230. 
Gjukungs,  the  dynasty  of  Gjuki, 

157- 
Gjoll,  a  river   (the  Styx  of  the 

pagan  Scandinavians),  16,  73, 

74.  GjolFs  Bridge,  73,  74. 
Gj6ll,  a  rock,  45. 
Gladr      ("Glad,''     "Bright"), 

Day's  horse,  28. 
Gladsheim,  abode  of  the  -^sir, 

25. 


INDEX 


251 


Glamml,  221. 

Glapsviclr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Glasir,  a  grove  in  Asgard,  143, 

145,  174. 
Glaumr,  a  horse,  128,  212. 
Glelpnlr,  the  fetter  with  which 

Fenris-Wolf  is  bound,  39,43, 

44. 
Glenr,  husband  of  Sun,  23. 
Glenr,  a  horse,  28,  140. 
Glitnir,  Forseti's  hall,  31,  41. 
Gloinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Glora.  See  Lora. 
Glumr  Gelrason,  an    Icelandic 

skald  of  the  tenth  century,  98, 

104,  186,  197,  229. 
Glaer,  a  horse,  211. 
Gna,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  47. 
Gnipa's   Cave,  den   of  the  dog 

Garmr,  79. 
Gnlta    Heath,    Fafnlr's    abode, 

i53>  154. 

God  of  Cargoes.  See  Tjr  of  Car- 
goes. 

God  of  the  Hanged,  a  title  of 
Odin,  97,  98. 

God  of  the  Slain,  a  title  of  Odin, 

lOI. 

God  of  Tears,  a  title  of  Baldr, 

1 1 1. 

G6i,  the  eighth  month,  225. 
Goinn,  a  serpent,  30,  213. 
Gold-Bristle,    Freyr's    boar,   73, 

1 12. 

Gold-Mane.  See  Gold-Bristle  j 
also  115,  118. 


Goths,  233. 

Goti,  Gunnarr's  horse,  155,  210. 
Goti,  a  legendary  king,  233. 
Gotland,  161,233,  ^34)  or  Gaut- 

land,  233,  234. 
Gotthormr,  murderer  of  Sigurdr 

Fafnisbani,  155,  156,  166. 
Grabakr,  a  serpent,  30,  213. 
Grad,  a  river,  52. 
Grafvitnir,   a   serpent,   30,   174, 

213. 
Grafvolludr,  a  serpent,  30. 
Gramr,      Sigurdr      Fafnisbani's 

sword,  153,  156. 
Gramr,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

228. 
Grani,  Sigurdr  Fafnisbani's  horse, 

i54»  155,  ^74.  177- 
Grani,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 

eleventh  century,  223,  231. 
Greeks,  194,  196,  197. 
Grelp,  a  giantess,  sister  of  Gjalp, 

123. 
Grettir,  a  skald,  184. 
Gridr,    a    giantess,    mother    of 

Vidarr,  122,  129.  Gridr*s  Rod, 

I22fF. 

Grimhlldr,  mother  of  the  Gju- 
kungs,  155. 

Grimnir,a  name  of  Odin,  34, 106. 

Grimnismdlj  poem  in  the  Elder 
Eddie  collection,  35,  47,  52. 

Grimr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

GrjotbjOrn  (Arlnbjorn  Thoris- 
son),  a  skald  of  the  tenth  cen- 
tury, 1 12. 


252 


INDEX 


Grjotunagard,  116,  117,  119. 
Groa,  wife  of  Aurvandill,  118, 

119. 
Grotti,  the  mill   that   made  the 

sea  salt,  140,  162,  163,  165. 
Gudolfr,  7. 

Gudr,  a  Valkyr,  48,  181,  182. 
Gudrun,  daughter  of  Gjuki  and 

wifeof  Sigurdr  Fafnisbani,  1 1 1, 

155-159- 

Gullfaxi,  Day's  horse,  211. 

Gullintanni,  a  name  of  Helm- 
dallr,  q.'v. 

Gulltopr  ("Gold-Top"),  Helm- 
dallr's  horse,  28,  40,  73^  113, 
210. 

Gungnir,  Odin's  spear,  79,  102, 
145,  146. 

Gunnarr,  a  Niflung  or  Gjukung, 
155-158. 

Gunnlaugr  Serpent's-Tongue,  an 
Icelandic  skald  of  the  tenth- 
eleventh  century,  177. 

Gunnlod,  daughter  of  Suttungr 
the  giant,  94,95, 100,106, 107, 
129,   136.   Gunnl6d*s  Liquor, 


106, 


107. 


Gunnr.  See  Gudr. 
Gunnthrii,  a  river,  t6,  52. 
Gunnthrain,  a  river,  52. 
Gylfi,    King    of   Sweden,    gives 

lands  to  the  ^sir,  8  ,•  contest 

with  Odin,  i  3  ff. 
Gylfi,  192. 

Gylfi,  a  son  of  Halfdan,2  2  8,  229. 
Gyllir,  a  horse,  28,  211. 


Gymir,  father  of  Gerdr,  48. 
Gymir  (a  name  of  ^gir),  i  38. 
G611,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Gomul,  a  river,  52. 
Gondlir,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Gondul,  a  Valkyr,  99,  182. 
Gopul,  a  river,  52. 
Gotha,  a  river,  209. 

JTlAAR,  a  name  of  Odin,  181. 
See  Harr. 

Habrok,  a  hawk,  53. 

Haddings,  98,  211. 

Hafeti,  a  horse,  211. 

Hagbardr,  230. 

Haki,  a  viking,  211,  222. 

Hakon,  the  Mighty,  son  of  Sig- 
urdr and  Bergliot,  and  Earl  of 
Hladir,  ruler  of  Norway  975- 
995,  148,  173,  182,  202,204. 

Halfdan  the  Munificent,  230. 

Halfdan  the  Old,  a  legendary 
king,  227-230. 

Halfdan  the  Swarthy,  son  of  Har- 
aldr  Fairhair,  230. 

Halfdanr,  168. 

Halfr,  a  legendary  king  of  Horda- 
land^  141,  233. 

Hallarsteinn,  a  skald,  177,  178. 

Halldorr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 
the  twelfth  century,  224. 

Hallfredr  Troublous-Skald,  in 
the  sei*vice  of  Olafr  Tryggva- 
son,  99,  136,  137,  179,  184, 
187,  200,  229. 

Hallinskidi.  See  Heimdallr. 


Hallr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 
eleventh  century,  210. 

Hallvardr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 
the  eleventh  century,  1 36, 186, 

192,  i93j  207^  217?  227. 

Hamdir,  a  son  of  Gudrun  and 
Jonakr^  iii,  158-160,  184. 

Hamskerpir,  a  horse,  47. 

Haraldr  Gormsson,  King  of  Den- 
mark 940-986,  and  friend  of 
Hakon  the  Mighty,  201,  202, 
212. 

Haraldr  the  Red-Bearded  or 
Gold-Bearded,  father-in-law 
of  Halfdan  the  Black,  230. 

Haraldr  SIgurdarson,  King  of 
Norway  1045-1066,  193,  199. 

Harbardr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Harekr,  102. 

Harr  ("The  High  One''),  poetic 
name  for  Odin,  15-21,  23-25, 
27-36,  39,  44,  45,  49-53,  5^, 
68,  70,  75j  11^  83. 

Harr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Harri  or  Herra,  a  son  of  Halfdan 
the  Old,  228,  229. 

Hati  Hrodvitnisson,  a  wolf,  23. 

Haustlong,  a  poem  by  Thjodolfr 
of  Hvin,  119  ff.,  130  ff. 

Havardr  the  Halt,  an  Icelandic 
skald  of  the  tenth  century,  97. 

Head,  Heimdallr's  sword,  40. 

Hector,  85. 

Hedinn,  son  of  Hjarrandi^  127, 
188-190.  [219. 

Hefring,  a  daughter   of  ^glr, 


INDEX  253 

Heidrun,  the  she-goat  whose  ud- 
ders give  meed  for  the  Einher- 
jar,  51. 

Hei?ndalargaldr,  a  lost  Eddie  lay, 
40,  113.  See  Introduction. 

Heimdallr,  sentinel  of  the  -^slr, 
40>  73,  79,  80,  89,  loi,  113, 
115.  Heimdallr's  Measure, 
113. 

Heimir,  159. 

Heingistr,  7. 

Helnir,  223. 

Heiti,  139,  194. 

Hel,  the  hell  of  the  pagan  Scan- 
dinavians, 16,  74,  75,  83,  213. 

Hel,  goddess  of  the  nether  world, 

42,  72,  74,  m,  114- 
Helblindi,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
HelbHndi,  brother  of  Loki,  41, 

114. 
riengikjoptr,  162. 
Hengjankjapta,  iii. 
Heptifili,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Heremod,  7. 
Herfjotur,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Herjann,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Hermodr  the  Bold,  son  of  Odin, 

72-74,  99. 
Hermundr,  135. 
Herteitr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Hildlngs,  230. 
Hildir,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

230.  [231. 

Hildr,   a   Valkyr,   48,    184-186, 
Hildr,    a    Valkyr,   daughter    of 

Hogni,  188-190. 


254 


INDEX 


Hildr,  or   Brynhildr,  a   Valkyr, 

155,  156. 
Hill-Danes  (  =  giants),  120. 
Hill-Giants,  28,  35,  40,  48,  73, 

160,  165,  169. 
Hilmir,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

228,  229. 
Himinbjorg,  Heimdallr's  dwell- 
ing, 31,  40. 
Himinglaeva,  a  daughter  of -^gir, 

219. 
Himinhrjodr,  an  ox,  213. 
Hinda-Fell,  site    of   Brynhildr's 

hall  and  the  Flaring  Fire,  155. 
Hising,  223. 

Hjadnings,  178,  188-190. 
Hjalmberi,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Hjalmther,  211. 

Hjalprekr,  King  at  Thjod,  153. 
Hjalti  the  Stout-Hearted,  one  of 

Hrolfr  Kraki's  berserks,  171. 
Hjaltland  (Shetland),  226. 
Hjarrandi,  188,  190. 
Hjuki.  See  Bil. 
Hjordis,     Sigurdr     Fafnisbani's 

mother,  153. 
Hledjolfr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Hleidr,  168,  170. 
Hler.  See  Mgw  (2).  Hler's   Isle 

(now  Laess0),  89. 
Hlidskjalf,  one  of  Odin's  abodes, 

22,  31,  48,  75>  102. 
Hlin,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  47. 
Hlora,  107. 
Hlymdalir,  159. 
Hlodyn  (  =  Earth),  81,  208. 


HlGkk,  a  Valkyr,  48,  181,  184, 

187. 
Hnikarr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Hnikudr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Hnitbjorg,  94,  103. 
Hnoss,  daughter  of  Freyja,  46, 

129,  148. 
Hoddmimir's  Holt,  83. 
Holmgardr,    the     Scandinavian 

kingdom  of  Novgorod,  228. 
Hoof-Tosser,  Gna's  horse,  47. 
Hornklofi,  a  skald    of   Haraldr 

Fairhair  (c.  900),  181,191,216. 
Hoy,  188. 

Hrafn,  a  horse,  210. 
Hrafnketill,  185. 
Hreidmarr,  father  of  Otter,  Faf- 

nir,  and  Reginn,  150-152. 
Hrid,  a  river,  16. 
Hrimfaxi,  Night's  horse,  212. 
Hrimnir,  108. 

Hringhorni,  Baldr''s  ship,  72, 1 1 1 . 
Hrist,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Hrolfr  Kraki,  a  legendary  king 

of  Denmark  (the  Hrothulf  of 

the  BeoiAJuIf)j  169-173,  227. 
Hropta-Tyr("God  of  Gods"),  a 

title  of  Odin,  34,  99. 
Hroptr  (  =  Odin),  102. 
Hrotti,  Fafnir's  sword,  153. 
Hrund,  221. 
Hrungnir,  a  giant  slain  by  Thor, 

107,  109,  115-118,  121,  165, 

182,  185. 
Hrungnir*s  Heart,  the  name  of  a 

rune,  117. 


Hrymr,  a    giant,   helmsman    of 

Naglfar,  78-80. 
Hraesvelgr,  a  giant,  32. 
HrOnn,  a  river,  52. 
HrOnn,a  daughter  of -^gir,  219. 
Hugi,  62,  63,  67.  Huginn,  one  of 

Odin's  ravens,  51,  214. 
Hiigstari^  a  dwarf,  26. 
Husdrdpay  a  poem  by  Ulfr  Ugga- 

son,  III,  113,  115. 
Hvergelmir,  the  wellspringof  the 

Mist-World,  16,  27,  29,  52, 

82. 
Hvitserkr  the  Stern, one  of  Hrolfr 

Kraki's  berserks,  171. 
Hymir,  a  giant,  68-70,  no,  132. 
Hyrr,  an  ox,  212. 
Hyrrokkin,  a  giantess,  73,  iii. 
Hoefir,  a  horse,  212. 
Hoenir,  one  of  the  ^sir,  37,  89, 

114,  132,  133,  150. 
Hodr^  the  blind  god,  and  slayer 

of  Baldr,  40,  71,  72,  83^  in, 

114. 
Hogni,     brother     of     Gunnarr, 

i55-i57»  182. 
Hogni,  father  of  Hildr,  188-190, 

194,  201,  212. 
Holgi,  father  of  Thorgerdr  Hol- 

gabrudr,  173. 
Holl,  a  river,  52. 
Holvir,  a  horse,  212. 
Hordland  in  Norw^ay,  198. 
Horn,   a    name    of  Freyja,   46, 

149. 
H5rr,  a  dwarf,  26. 


255 

a      mythological 


INDEX 

Ice-Waves, 

river,  17,  18. 
Ida- Field  or  Ida-Plain,  25,  83. 
Idi,  a  giant,  92,  124,  165,  174. 
Idunn,  wife  of  the  god  Bragi  and 

guardian     of    the     apples    of 

youth,    39,  89-91,   113,    114, 

129,  130,  132,  143. 
Illugi,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 

eleventh  century,  209. 
Ingi      Haraldsson,      Norwegian 

king  (d.  1161),  134. 
Ingvi-Freyr,  132.  See  Freyn 
"Inlaying,"  191. 
Ironwood,  a  forest,  24. 
Ironwood- Women,  24. 

r 

Itermann,  7. 

Ivaldi,  a  dwarf,  father  of  Brokkr 
and  Sindri,  56,  145. 


Jafnharr,    poetic     name     for 

Odin,  15-18,20,  27,  33,  34,57. 
Jalangr's  Heath,  161. 
Jalkr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Jarizleifr,  a  Russian  king,  1016- 

1054,  202. 
Jarnsaxa,  a  giantess,   118,   129, 

215. 
Jat,  7. 

Jerusalem,  194,  197. 
J6m,  227. 
Jonakr,  third  husband  of  Gudriin, 

158,  161. 
Jor,  a  horse,  211. 
Jordan,  194,  196. 
Jorunn,  a  poetess,  231. 


256 


INDEX 


Jutland.  See  Reidgothland. 

Jofurr,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 
228,  229. 

Jord,  daughter  of  Night  and 
of  Annarr,  wife  of  Odin,  and 
mother  of  Thor,  22,48, 107  ff., 
119,  127,  129,  134. 

Jormungandr.  See  Midgard  Ser- 
pent. 

Jormunrekkr  (  =  Ermanarich), 
King  of  the  Goths,  fourth  cen- 
tury, 1 58-161. 

Joruplain,  27. 

Jotunheim,  the  abode  of  the 
giants,  13,22,  25,42,  54,  55, 
58,  72,  80,  91,  115-117,  119, 
132. 

rS^ALFVlSA,  211. 

* 

Keila,  no. 

Kerlaugs,  the,  two  rivers,  28. 

Kertr,  a  horse,  212. 

Kili,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Kjalarr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Kjallandi,  no. 

Kjarr,  230. 

Knui,  166. 

Knutr,  136. 

Kormakr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 
the  tenth  century,  100,  102, 
179,  186,  201,  204,  205. 

Kvasir,  wisest  of  the  gods,  76, 

93>  94»  i03>  106. 
Kolga,    a    daughter    of    -^gir, 

219. 
Kormt,  a  river,  28. 


vAUFEY    or    Nal,    mother    of 
Loki,  41,  1 14. 


III. 


Leidi. 


Leifi,  160. 
Leikn,  no. 


Leiptr,  a  river,  1 6. 
Lettfeti,  a  horse,  28,  210. 
Lif  and  Lifthrasir,  the  sole  hu- 
man survivors  of  Surtr's  Fire, 

83. 

Light-Elves,  31,  32. 

Listi,  129. 

Litr,  a  dwarf,  26,  73. 

Lofdar,  230,  232,  233. 

Lofdi,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 
230. 

Lofdungs,  the  dynasty  of  Lofdi, 
230,  232. 

Lofn,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 

Logi,  62,  67. 

Loki  or  Loptr,  the  sly  god  (Loki 
Laufeyarson),  33,  41  ff.,  54,  55, 
57,  58,  62,  67,  71,  75  ff.,  85, 
89-92,  113-115,121-124,  131- 
i33»  143-147.  150-152. 

Lora,  wife  of  Duke  Lorikus  of 
Thrace,  6. 

Loridi,  son  of  Thor  and  Sif,  7. 

Lorikus  of  Thrace,  foster-father 
of  Thor,  6. 

Lovarr,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Lund,  in  Sweden,  175. 

Lungr,  a  horse,  210. 

Lutr,  III. 

Lyngvi,  an  island,  44. 

Laedingr,  a  fetter,  43. 


INDEX 


257 


Laeradr,  a  tree  in  Valhall,  51. 
Logr,  the  Malar  in  Sweden,  13. 


Mist,  a  Valkyr,  48. 


Mistletoe, 


71,  72,  114. 


AGI,  7. 


M 

Magni,  son  of  Thor  and  Jarn- 
saxa,  83,  107,  108,  1 18. 

Magnus,  222. 

Man,  the  Isle  of,  203,  218. 

Mani,  a  skald,  193. 

MardoU,  a  name  of  Freyja,  46, 
174. 

Markus,  an  Icelandic  skald  (c. 
1 100),  135, 192,  195,  222,  226, 
228,  229,  232. 

Marr,  a  horse,  210. 

Mary,  the  Virgin,  195. 

Mediterranean  Sea,  5. 

Meili,  Thor's  brother,  119,  131, 
134. 

Meinthjofr,  211. 

Menja,  a  giantess,  i62fF.  See 
Fenja. 

Mennon,  Trojan  king,  son-in- 
law  of  Priam  and  father  of 
Thor,  6. 

Michael,  the  Archangel,  136. 

Midgard,  the  citadel  prepared  by 
the  gods  for  human  habitation, 
2^  24j  53>  54,  68,  81,  107. 

Midgard  Serpent,  42,  67-70,  78- 
81,  83,  107,  114. 

Mimir,  the  wise  giant,  who  guards 
the  well  of  wisdom,  27,  79,  80, 

lOI. 

Mimir's  Well,  the  source  of  wis- 
dom, 27,  79. 


Mist- World,  16. 
Mjodvitnir,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Mjollnir,  Thor*s  hammer,  35,  55, 

57,  60,  73,  83,  107,  118,  121. 
Moda,  7. 
Modgudr,     the      maiden      who 

guards  GjolTs  Bridge,  73. 
Modi,  a  son  of  Thor,  83,  107. 
Modnir,  a  horse,  211. 
Modrodnir,  a  hart,  210. 
Modsognir,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Moinn,  a  serpent,  30,  213. 
Mona.  See  Man,  the  Isle  of. 
Moon,  the  Moon-god,  23. 
Moon-Hound,  a  wolf,  24. 
M6r,  a  horse,  210. 
Morginn  ("Morn"),  212. 
Mundilfari,  father  of    Sun   and 

Moon,  23,  140. 
Muninn,  one  of  Odin's   ravens, 

51,  214,  215. 
Munon.  See  Mennon. 
Muspell,  the  Region  of  Fire,  16, 

24,  25,  50,  56,  78-80. 
Muspellheim,    17,    20,    23.    See 

Muspell. 
Mysingr,  a  pirate,  162. 
Mokkurkalfi,  117,  118. 

JN  AGLFAR,  the  ship  of  Muspell, 

56,  78,  80. 
Naglfari,  husband  of  Night,  22. 
Nainn,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Nal.  See  Laufey. 


258 


INDEX 


Nanna,  Baldr's  wife,  41,  73,  74, 

89,  III,  129. 
Nar,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Nari  or  Narfi,  son  of  Loki  and 

Sigyn,  42,  77,  114. 
Nastrand,  82. 
Nefir,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

230. 
Nep,  Nanna's  father,  41,  73. 
Nid,  a  river  emptying  into  Trond- 

hjem  Bay,  223. 
Nida  Fells,  82. 
Nidh5ggr,the  serpent  that  gnaws 

the  root  of  Yggdrasill,  27,  29, 

30,  213. 
Nidi,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Niflheim,  the    Mist- World,   17, 

27,  42. 
Niflhel,  the  Misty  Hell,  55. 
Niflungs,  155,  157,  174,  230. 
Night,  136. 
Night,  the  goddess  of  the  night, 

22. 
Nilcarr,  a  name  of  Odin,  15. 
Nikiidr,  a  name  of  Odin,  15. 
Nipingr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Niz,  the  river  Nissan  in  Sweden, 

229. 
Njall   of  the   Burning,   an   Ice- 
landic skald  and  lawyer  of  the 

tenth  century,  219. 
Njordr,    reckoned    among     the 

-^sir,    but    originally    of    the 

Vanir,  36,48,  89,  92,  111,112, 

129,  143. 
Noah,  3.  Noah's  Ark,  3. 


Noatun,   NjOrdr's  abode,  36  fF., 

92. 
Nordri,   a  dwarf,   26,    133.    Si-e 

North. 
Nordrsetudrdpay^t.  poem  by  Sveinn, 

141. 
Nori,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Norns:  the  three  Norns,  the  Ger- 
manic Fates,  28-30,  143;  the 

minor  norns,  29. 
North,  a  dwarf,  20. 
Norway,    settled    by    Odin,    9  j 

mentioned,  170,  188,  199,  218, 

226,  233. 
Nyi,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Nyr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Nyradr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Nyt,  a  river,  52. 
Nonn,  a  river,  52. 
Norfi  or  Narfi,  a  giant,  father  of 

Night,  22. 
Not,  a  river,  152. 

\Jdin  or  Voden,  son  of  Frial- 
laf  or  Fridleifr,  75  migrates 
from  Turkland  to  the  North, 

7-9- 
Odin  (to  be  identified  with  the 

above),  son  of  Borr  and  Bestla, 
and  supreme  deity  of  the  pa- 
gan Scandinavians,  19,  27,  28, 
3i>  33,  36,  38,  45,  4-8,  50-53, 
72-75,  79-81,  89,  92,  94-107, 
109,  III,  113-116,  118-120, 
124,  127-129,  131,  132,  136, 
137,  143,  145,  146,  i49-i52> 


INDEX 


259 


161,    180-183,    186,    190,    206, 
^    214,   218,   225,   226,   233,   234. 

Odr,  Freyja's  husband,  46,  55, 

129,  148. 
Odrerir,  a    kettle,    93-95,    103, 

105,  10'). 
Ofnir,  a  serpent,  30,  213. 
Oinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Okolnir,  a  hall,  82. 
Olafr,  184. 
Olafr  the  Holy,  King  of  Norway 

1015-1030,  225. 
Oleifr,  King  of  Sweden  (d.  1024), 

207. 
Omi,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Onarr,  136,  201. 

r 

Onarr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Ori,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Orkneys,  188. 

Ormr  Barrey*s-Skald,  a  poet,  134, 

138. 

Ormr  Steinthorsson,  an  Icelandic 
skald  of  the  eleventh  centuiy, 
104,  106,  141,  178,  220. 

Orun,  174. 

Oski,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Ottarr  the  Swarthy,  an  Icelandic 
skald  of  the  eleventh  century, 
176,  180,  200,  206,  207,  215, 
220,  221,  226,  228,  229,  232. 

Otter,  son  of  Hreidmarr,  143, 
150-152. 

XiG  of  the   Swedes,  the    gold 
ring  of  King  Adils,  171,  172. 
Priam,  King  of  Troy,  6. 


XvADGRrDR,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Radsvidr,  a  dwarf,  26! 
Ragnarr  Lodbrok,  Danish  king 

and  sea-rover,  160,  161,  190. 
Ragnarr     Lodbr6k's     ^ong     of 

Praise  y  189. 
Ran,  wife  of  the  sea- god  -^gir, 

137,  i39»  i44>  219. 
Randgridr,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Randver,  son  of  King  Jormun- 

rekkr,  158,  160. 
Ratatoskr,  squirrel  of  Yggdrasill, 

29. 
Rati,  an  auger,  95. 
Raudr,  an  ox,  212. 
Raumar,  223. 
Raven-God,  a  title  of  Odin,  51, 

98. 

Refill,  Reginn's  sword,  153. 
Refr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of  the 
eleventh  century,  98,  loi,  104, 

138,  180,  185,  187,  193,  217, 
218,  220. 

Reginleif,  a  Valkyr,  48. 

Reginn,  son  of  Hreidmarr,  bro- 
ther of  Fafnir,  and  fosterer  of 
Sigurdr,  1 51-154. 

Reidgothland  (Jutland,  8),  234. 

Reid-Gotaland.  See  Reidgoth- 
land. 

Reifnir,  190. 

Rekinn,  an  ox,  212. 

Rekkr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Rerir,  8. 

Rhine,  the  German   river,   157, 

174,  175- 


26o 


INDEX 


Rhymes  of  Thorgrimr,  210,  212. 
Rime-Giants,  16-19,  27,  35,  53, 

73j  795  147- 
Rindr,  the  mother  of  Ali  or  Vali, 

41,48,100,  114,129,136,137, 

206. 
R6di,  183,  184. 
Rome,  194,  195,  197. 
Rota,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Rygir,  180.  [228. 

Raesir,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 
Rognvaldr  Jar),  Earl  of  Orkney 

1012-1045,  135,  202. 
Rognvaldr*s  Song  of  Praise,  202. 
Roskva,  Thor's   handmaid,  57, 

58,  107,  108. 

Oadr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Saga,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 

Sann-getall,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Saxland  (Saxony),  7,9.  East  Sax- 
land,  7. 

Saxons,  171. 

Seskef,  7. 

Sessrumnir,Freyja*shall,  38, 129. 

Sheen-Mane,  Shining-Mane,  one 
of  Day*s  horses,  22,  212. 

Sibil.  See  Sif. 

Sicily,  193,  233. 

Sid,  a  river,  52. 

Sidhottr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Sidskeggr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Sif,  wife  of  Thor,  6,  41,  107,  108, 
114,  116,  129,  136,  143,  145, 
146,  174. 

Sigarr,  7. 


Sigarr,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

230. 
Sigarr,  descendant  of  Sigarr  son 

of  Halfdan,  230. 
Slgfodr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Siggeirr,  son-in-law  of  Volsungr, 

230. 
Sigi,  son  of  Odin,  8. 
Sigmundr,  son  of  Volsungr  and 

father  of  Sigurdr  Fafnisbani, 

153,  159- 

Sigmundr,  son  of  Sigurdr  Fafnis- 
bani, 155. 

Sigtryggr,  227. 

Sigtun,  founded  by  Odin,  8. 

Sigtun,  in  Sweden,  218. 

Sigurdr  Fafnisbani,  legendary 
hero,  153-156,  158,  i59>  230. 

Sigurdr,  Jarl  at  Hladir  in  the 
tenth  century,  father  of  Hakon 
the  Mighty,  98,  185,  202. 

Sigvaldi,  183. 

Sigvatr,  an  Icelandic  skald  (fl.  c. 
1000),  196,  200,  226,  233. 

Sigyn,  wife  of  Loki,  42,  jj,  89, 
114,  131. 

Siklings,  230-232. 

Silfrintoppr,  a  horse,  28. 

Silfrtoppr,  211. 

Simul,  23. 

Sindri,  a  dwarf,  145,  146. 

Sindri,  a  hall,  82. 

Sinfjotli,  son  of  Sigmundr  and 
half-brother  of  Sigurdr  Fafnis- 
bani, 159. 

Singasteinn,  113,  115. 


INDEX 


261 


Sinir,  a  horse,  28,  211. 

r 

Sjofn,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 

Skadi,  daughter  of  Thjazi  the 
giant,  and  wife  of  NjOrdr,  37, 
38,  11,  9i>  92,  III,  115,  131- 

133,  135,  H3- 

Skafidr,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Slcapti  Thoroddsson,  an  Icelan- 
dic skald  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
tuiy,  195. 

Skati  the  Munificent,  a  legendaiy 
king,  233. 

Skatnar,  233. 

Skeggjold,  a  Valkyr,  48. 

Skeidbrlmir,  a  horse,  28,  211. 

Skelfir,  a  legendary  king,  230. 

Skidbladnir,  Freyr's  ship,  53,  56, 
112,  145,  146. 

Skilfingr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Skilfings,  the  dynasty  of  Skelfir, 
230,  233. 

Skinfaxi,  Day's  horse.  See  Sheen- 
Mane. 

Skirfir^  a  dwarf,  27. 

Skirnir,  Freyr's  messenger,  43, 

44,  48,  49,  79- 

Skjaldun.  See  Skjoldr. 

Skjoldr  or  Skjaldun,  legendary- 
king  of  Denmark,  7,  8,  161, 
230. 

Skjoldungs,  Danish  dynasty,  re- 
puted to  have  sprung  from 
Skjoldr,  son  of  Odin,  8,  230, 
232. 

Skrymir,  a  giant,  also  called 
Utgarda-Loki,  59-61. 


Skuld  ("That  which  is  to  be," 

the  Future),  one  of  the  Norns, 

28,  48. 
Skuli  Thorsteinsson,  an  Icelandic 

skald,  grandson  of  Egill  Skal- 

lagrimsson,  140, 148, 173,  215, 

216. 
Skyli  or  Skuli,  a  son  of  Halfdan 

the  Old,  228,  229. 
Skaevadr,  a  horse,  211. 
Skogul,  a  Valkyr,  48,  99,  181, 

225. 
Skoll,  a  wolf,  23. 
Sleipnir,  Odin's  horse,  28,  53,  72, 

114,  1 15,  210. 
Slidr,  a  river,  16. 
Slongvir,  horse  of  King  Adils, 

172,  212. 
Snotra,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  47. 
Snasbjorn,  a  skald,  140,  201. 
Sol.  See  Sun. 
Son,  a  vat,  93-95,  103. 
S6tl,  a  horse,  210. 
South,  a  dwarf.  See  Sudri. 
Starkadr,  no. 
Steinarr,  a  skald,  178. 
Steinn,  138. 
Steinn  Herdisarson,  an  Icelandic 

skald  of  the  eleventh  century, 

135,  178. 
Steinthorr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 

the  eleventh  century,  100. 
Strong-through-Spells,  a  title  of 

Odin,  102. 
Stufr,  a  skald  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
.  tury,  229. 


262 


INDEX 


Stufr,  a  horse,  211. 

Styrkarr  Oddason,  a  skald,  194. 

Sudri,  a  dwarf  ("South'"),   20, 

26,  128,  133. 
Summer,  32. 
Sun,  47. 

Sun,  the  sun-goddess,  23. 
Surtr,  16,  31,  78,   81,  83,   102. 

Surtr's  Fire,  31. 
Suttungr,  a  giant,  GilHngr's  son, 

94-96. 
Svadilfari,  a  stallion,  sire  of  Sleip- 

n»r,  54,  55- 
Svafnir,  a  serpent,  30,  213. 
Svanhildr,  daughter  of  Sigurdr 

Fafnisbani  and  Gudrun,  155, 

158,  161. 
Svarinshaugr,  27. 
Svasudr,  father  of  Summer,  32, 

142. 
Svebdeg  or  Svipdagr,  7. 
Sveidi,  192. 

Sveinn,  a  skald,  141,  192. 
Sviarr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Svidrir,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Svidurr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34, 234. 
Svipall,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Svipdagr,  one  of  Hrolfr  Kraki's 

berserks,  171. 
Svi  vor.  III. 
Svol,  a  river,  16,  52. 
Svoldr,  battle  of,  in  which  Olafr 

Tryggvason  fell,  173. 
Svolnir,  190. 
Swans,  origin  of,  30. 
Swarthead,  18. 


Sweden,  realm  of  King  Gylfi,  8, 
13,   162,   166,   170-172,   199, 

2  34- 

Swedes,  234. 

Sylgr,  a  river,  16. 

Syn,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 

Syr,  a  name  for  Freyja,  46,  201. 

Saegr,  23. 

Saehrimnir,  the  boar  which  fur- 
nishes meat  for  the  Einherjar, 
50. 

Saemingr,  a  son  of  Odin  and  first 
king  of  Norway,  9. 

S0kin,  a  river,  52. 

S0kkvabekkr,  Saga's  abode,  46. 

Solsi,  192. 

Sorli,  one  of  Gudrun*s  three  sons 
by  Jonakr,  158-160,  184. 

1  HEGN,   211. 

Thekkr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Thekkr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Thengill  or  Manna-Thengill,  a 
son  of  Halfdan  the  Old,  228. 

Thjalfi,  Thor's  bondservant,  ^j^ 
58,  62,  63,  6j,  107,  108,  117, 
118,  124,  126. 

Thjazi  (also  spelled  Thjatsi),  a 
giant,  father  of  Skadi,  37,  90- 
92,  130  ff.,  135,165,  174. 

Thjodnuma,  a  river,  52. 

Thjodolfr  of  Hvin,  Norwegian 
skald  of  the  ninth  century,  14, 
99,  119,  130,  134,  137,  173, 
197,  202,  205,  206,  208,  214, 
216,  226,  227,  232. 


INDEX 


263 


Thor,  son  of  Mennon  and  Tr6- 
an,  and  grandson  of  Priam,  6. 

Thor  (to  be  identified  with  the 
above),  son  of  Odin  and  Jord 
("Earth"),  also  called  Asa- 
Thor  and  Oku-Thor,  22,  28, 
35»  41,  54-70,  73,  ^(>,  81,  83, 
85,  89,  96,  107-111,  1 14-129, 
136,   i43»    145-147,  204,  221. 

Thoralfr,  an  Icelandic  skald, 
102. 

Thorbjorn  Lady's-Skald,  an  Ice- 
landic skald  of  the  eleventh 
century,  109,  no,  194. 

Thordr  Kolbeinsson,  an  Icelan- 
dic skald  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury, 204,  207,  210. 

Th6rdr  Maeri's  Skald,  176. 

Th6rdr  Sjareksson,  an  Icelandic 
skald  of  the  eleventh  century, 
III,  192. 

Thorfinnr,  Earl  of  Orkney  (d. 
1064),  198,  202. 

Thorgerdr  Holgabrudr,  173. 

Thorinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Thorkell  Hamar-Skald,  an  Ice- 
landic skald  (c.  1 100),  232. 

Thorleifr,  121,  130,  133. 

Thorleikr  the  Fair,  a  skald  of  the 
eleventh  century,  at  the  court 
of  King  Sveinn  Ulfsson  of 
Denmark,  175,  176,  220. 

Thorn,  124,  127. 

Thorsdrdpa^^otm  by  EilifrGud- 
run arson,  123  fF. 

Thorsteinn,  104. 


Thorvaldr    Blendlng-Skald,    an 

Icelandic  skald  (c.  1100),  103, 

176,  199. 
Thrace,  6. 
Thrandheim,  the  modern  Trond- 

hjem,  141. 
Thridi,  poetic  name  for  Odin,  1 5- 

17,  20,  33,  34,  57,  82,  99. 
Thrivaldi,  a  giant,  107,  109, 1 10. 
Throinn,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Thr6r,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 
Thror,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Thrudheim,  Thor's  realm,  6. 
Thrudr,  a  Valkyr,  48. 
Thrudr,  Thor*s   daughter,  107, 


108, 


129. 


Thrudvangar,  Thor*s  abode,  35, 
68,  118. 

Thrymheimr,  Thjazi's  abode, 
37,38,  90. 

Thudr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Thundr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Thviti,  a  rock,  45. 

Thyn,  a  river,  52. 

Thokk,  a  giantess  (Loki  in  dis- 
guise), 75. 

ThCll,  a  river,  52. 

Tindr,  an  Icelandic  skald  (c. 
1000),  183. 

Tjaldari,  a  horse,  210. 

Tooth-Gnasherand  Tooth-Grit- 
ter,  Thor's  goats,  35. 

Troan,  wife  of  Mennon  and 
mother  of  Thor,  6. 

Tror.  See  Thor  (i). 

Troy,  6,  9,  21,  85. 


264 

Turf-Einarr,    Earl    of    Orkney 

(c.  900),  203. 
Turk  land.  See  Troy. 
Turks,  9,  85. 
Tyggi,  a  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

228,  229. 
Tyr,  god  of  war,  39,  42,  45,  79, 

89,  96,  113,  143. 
Tyr  of  Cargoes,  a  title  of  Odin, 

96. 

Tyr  of  the  Hanged,  a  title  of 

Odin,  96. 
Tyr  of  Triumph,  a  title  of  Odin, 

96,  98. 
Tyr  of  the  Wain,  a  title  of  Odin, 

96. 


U  DR,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Udr,  a  daughter  of -^gir,  219. 

Ulfr  Uggason,  an  Icelandic 
skald  (c.  1000),  99-101,  106, 
110-113,  179,  186,  204,  208. 

Ullr,Thor's  step-son, 41, 89, 107, 
108,  114,  119,  128,  129,  180, 
182,  185. 

Ulysses,  85. 

Uppsala,  170,  171. 

Urdr  ("That  which  has  taken 
place,"  the  Past),  one  of  the 
three  Norns,  28,  30,  186,  194, 
195.  Urdr's  Well,  28,  30,  186, 

^  194,  195- 
Utgarda-Loki,  61-69.  See  Skry- 

mir. 
Utgardr,  61. 
Uvigg,  8. 


INDEX 

V  AFTHRUDNIR,  a  giant,  18. 

Vafudr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34, 

Vagasker,  113. 

Vakr,  Morn's  horse,  212. 

Vakr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 

Valaskjalf,  one  of  Odin's  dwell- 
ings, 31. 

Valfather  (Odin),  27. 

Valgardr,  an  Icelandic  skald  of 
the  eleventh  century,  219,  222, 
224,  233. 

Valhall  ("Hall  of  the  Slain''), 
the  abode  of  Odin*s  champions, 

i4>  33>47,  50-53)71,99,  102, 

116,  144. 
Vali,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Vali,  son  of  Loki,  48,  77,  83. 
Vali,  one  of  the  -^sir,  89,  1 14. 
Valkyrs,  48,  73,  100,  102,  143, 

181,  182. 
Valr,  a  horse,  210. 
Van,  a  river,  45,  114. 
Vanir,  the  older  Northern  gods 

before  the  ^sir,  37,  46,  47, 


93,  III,  112,  129. 
Var,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 
Vartari,  a  thong,  147. 
Vasadr,  grandfather  of  Winter, 

33- 
Ve,  one  of  Odin*s  brothers,  19. 

Vedrfolnir,  a  hawk,  29. 
Vegdeg,  son  of  Odin,  7. 
Vegsvinn,  a  river,  52. 
Veiga  in  Halogaland,the  modern 

Vegeno,  207. 
Veratyr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34. 


INDEX 


265 


Verdandi  ("That  which  is  in  a 
state  of  being,  or  becoming/' 
the  Present),  one  of  the  three 
Norns,  28. 

Vesteinn,  211. 

Vestri,  or  West,  a  dwarf,  20,  26, 

133- 
Vetrlidi,   an   Icelandic   skald  of 

the  tenth  century,  no. 
Victory-Tyr.   See   Tyr   of  Tri- 
umph. 
Vid,  a  river,  16,  52. 
Vidarr,  one  of  the  -^sir,  slayer 

of  Fen ris- Wolf,  40, 80,  81,  83, 

89,  113,  143. 
Vidblainn,  the  third  heaven,  32. 
Vidblindi,  a  giant,  177.  [23. 

Vidfinnr,father  of  Bil  and  Hjuki, 
Vidrir,  a  name  of  Odin,  191. 
Vidurr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34,  204. 
Vifill,  211. 
Viga-Glumr,  an  Icelandic  skald 

of  the  tenth  century,  98,  183, 

191,  215. 
Vigg,  a  horse,  211. 
Viggr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Vigridr,  the  field  on  which  the 

last  battle  is  fought  at  the  end 

of  the  world,  79,  81. 
Vili,  Odin's  brother,  100. 
Vimur,  a  river,  no,  122  ff. 
Vin,  a  river,  52. 
Vina,  a  river,  52. 
Vindalfr,  a  dwarf,  26. 
Vindler,  a  name   of  Heimdallr, 

113. 


Vindljoni,  father  of  Winter,  33. 

Vindsvalr.  See  Vindljoni. 

Vindsvalr,  141. 

Vingener,  7. 

Vingethor,  7. 

Vingnir,  107.  [25. 

Vingolf,  abode  of  the  Asynjur, 

Vingolf,  abode  of  Odin's  cham- 
pions, 33. 

Virfir,  a  dwarf,  27. 

Vitr,  a  dwarf,  26. 

Vitrgils,  7. 

Vitta,  7. 

Vaeni,  the  lake  on  which  Adils 
defeated  Ali,  170. 

Voggr,  170. 

Volsungs,  8,  230,  232. 

Foluspd,  poem  in  the  Elder  Edda, 
16,  17,  20,  24,  26,  27,  31,  55, 
77,  78,  80, 8 1 .  F'oluspd  the  Less, 
18. 

Volu-Steinn,  an  Icelandic  skald 
of  the  tenth  century,  106,  208. 

Vor,  one  of  the  Asynjur,  46. 

Vottr  Veseti,  one  of  Hrolfr 
Kraki's  berserks,  171. 

Weird  of  the  Gods,  39,  45, 

77ff.,  189. 

Westphalia,  8. 

Whitby,  Scandinavian  settle- 
ment in  Yorkshire,  231. 

Willharm,  18. 

Wind,  origin  of,  32. 

Winter,  33. 

Witolf,  18. 


266 


INDEX 


1  AWNING  Void.  See  Ginnunga- 

gap. 
Yggdrasill,  the  Ash,  holy  place 

of  the  ^slr,  27  ff.,  53,  79,  80. 
Yggr,  a  name  of  Odin,  34,  204. 

(Cf.       Yggdrasill,       "Odin's 

Steed  ^\?) 
Ylgr,  a  river,  1 6. 
Ymir    or    Aurgelmir,    the   first 

Rime-Giant,   17,   18,  20,   21, 

26,  i33»  i34>  136-138. 
Ynglings,  the  first  Swedish  dy- 
nasty, 9,  230,  232. 
Yngvi,  son  of  Odin  and  first  king 

of   Sweden,   ancestor    of    the 

Ynglings,  9. 
Yngvi,  son  of  Halfdan  the  Old, 

to  be  identified  with  the  above, 

99,  102,  230. 
Yngvi,  a  dwarf,  27. 
Yrsa,  mother  of  Hr6lfr  Kraki, 

168,  170-173. 


GiR    or     Hler,    dweller    on 


Hler's  Isle,  895  visits  the  ^sir, 
89-965  mentioned,  115,  121. 

-^sir,  the  gods,  to  be  identified 
with  the  above,  53-57,  61,  64, 
65,  70-72,  74-77,  79,  80,  83, 
84,  89-94,  96,  103,  142,  143, 
146,  150-152. 

^sir,  the  people  of  Odin  of  Turk  - 
land,  8,  9,  i3,i4>  22,  27  ff.,  33, 

35-45. 
^gir,  the  sea-god,  i  37,  i  38, 143, 

144,  217,  219. 
•  * 

VyDLiNGS  or  Odlungs,  230, 23  i. 
Oglo,  98,  197. 

Oku-Thor,  57,  61,85.  See  Thor. 
Olvaldi,  a  giant,  father  of  Thjazi, 

Idi,  and  Gangr,  92. 
Olvir   Cut-Nose-and-Crop-Ears, 

a  Norwegian  skald  c.  900, 107. 
Ormt,  a  river,  28. 


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He  has  attempted  to  trace  the  development  of  interest  in  popular  ballads  as 
reflected  in  Scandinavian,  English,  and  Scottish  criticism  particularly  during 
the  eighteenth  century.  ,  .  .  Mr.  Hustvedt's  book  is  not  only  valuable  by  rea- 
son of  the  research  and  the  judicially  critical  spirit ;  it  is  written  in  a  manner 
that  should  interest  the  general  reader.  Boston  Herald. 


THE  AMERICAN-SCANDINAVIAN  REVIEW 

The  Review  is  an  illustrated  magazine,  published  bi-monthly,  pre- 
senting the  progress  of  life  and  literature  in  Sweden,  Denmark,  and 
Norway. 

Volume  I,  191  3.  192  pages.  Price  $5.00 
Volume  II,  1 9 14.  320  pages.  Price  $3.00 
Volume  III,  191  5.  384  pages.  Price  ^2.50 

The  Review  has  an  admirable  array  of  articles,  and  it  is  hoped  will  be  well 
and  widely  received.  The  Scandinavian  peoples  have  contributed  of  their  best 
blood  to  the  American  nation,  and  we  should  draw  from  their  resources  of  cul- 
ture also.  Chicago  Tribune, 

For  information  regarding  the  above  volumes^  address  the 
Secretary  of  the  American-Scandinavian  Foundation 

25   West  \^th  Street^  New  York  City 


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